Marginal fall in greenhouse gas emissions

THE STATE’S greenhouse gas emissions fell marginally last year, according to provisional figures from the Environmental Protection Agency.

However, the agency said the rate of decline, at 0.3 per cent over 2007 levels, was “disappointingly small” when seen in light of the economic downturn that had hit by 2008.

The EPA said the figures were also disappointing because the initial impact of the Government’s climate change strategy had not delivered the reductions expected.

The agency said it produced the figures at this time “as a basis for the Government’s carbon budget”.

The effects of the economic downturn were mainly evident in a 523,600 tonne reduction (4.4 per cent) in emissions from the industry and commercial sector with smaller decreases of less than 1 per cent from the agriculture and transport sectors.

However, an increase in emissions of 603,700 tonnes from the residential sector, reflecting colder winter months, cancelled the benefit of these reductions to a large extent. Energy sector emissions were largely unchanged.

The key findings of the provisional 2008 estimates were:

Industry and commercial emissions decreased by 523,600 tonnes (4.4 per cent), reflecting decreases in CO2 from combustion sources and cement production.

Agricultural emissions decreased by 172,400 tonnes or 0.9 per cent in 2008, continuing a downward trend from the 1998 peak. The decline in emissions reflects lower sheep and cattle numbers and reduced use of fertilizers.

Transport emissions were 121,100 tonnes of CO2 lower in 2008 than in 2007. This represents a decrease of 0.8 per cent on 2007 levels, following sustained increases in this sector since 1990. The decrease may reflect the initial impact of the economic downturn plus the changes in VRT and road tax introduced in mid-2008

Energy emissions in 2008 were similar to 2007 with an increase of 86,000 tonnes of CO2 or 0.6 per cent.

Residential emissions in 2008 increased by 603,700 tonnes of CO2 or 8.7 per cent from the 2007 level. This was the largest sectoral change in 2008 and would appear to reflect increased use of domestic heating during the winter of 2008.

Waste emissions showed a decrease of 83,300 tonnes of CO2 or 7 per cent from the 2007 level.