Upload
ingurumena-ejgv
View
219
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Â
Citation preview
Ingurumen Jarduketarako Sozietate PublikoaSociedad Pública Gestión Ambiental
Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the BasqueCountry[1990 • 2000]
LURRALDE ANTOLAMENDUETA INGURUMEN SAILA
DEPARTAMENTO DE ORDENACION DELTERRITORIO Y MEDIO AMBIENTE
Serie Programa Marco Ambiental N.º 11 Noviembre 2002
Environmental Framework Programme Series
• Nº 1, November 2000, Economic Impact of Environmental Spending and Investmentof the Basque Public Authorities
• Nº 2, May 2001, Ecology Barometer 2001
• Nº 3, October 2001, The Environment in the Basque Country
• Nº 4, January 2002, European Union Strategy for Sustainable Development
• Nº 5, February 2002, Inventory of Hazardous Waste in the Basque Country (Outline)
• Nº 6, April 2002, Cycling Towards Fume-free Cities
• Nº 7, May 2002, Total Material Requirement of the Basque Country. TMR 2002
• Nº 8, July 2002, Transport and the Environment in the Basque Country. TMAIndicators 2002
• Nº 9, August 2002, Sustainable Development in the Basque Country
• Nº 10, October 2002, Environmental Indicators 2002
• Nº 11, November 2002, Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the BasqueCountry
www. Ingurumena.netBasque Government WebSite on Sustainable Development in the Basque
Country
Published by:IHOBE - Sociedad Pública de Gestión Ambiental
Report drawn up by:Fundación LABEIN for IHOBE, S.A.
Designed by:Imprenta Berekintza
Basque Translation:Elhuyar
English Translation:Chris Pellow© IHOBE 2002
Registration nº:BI-2489-02
Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the BasqueCountry[1990 • 2000]
I n d e x
I n d e x
Presentation ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 9
1.1. Climate Change: Description ................................................................................................................................. 11
1.2. Climate Change: International Agreements ................................................................................................ 12
2. Methods ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 15
3. Results ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 17
3.1. Trends in GHG Emissions in the Basque Country ................................................................................... 18
3.1.1. Main sources of GHG emissions in the Basque Country ................................................. 18
3.1.2. Trends in CO2 emissions .......................................................................................................................... 20
3.1.3. Trends in CH4 emissions ........................................................................................................................... 22
3.1.4. Trends in N2O emissions .......................................................................................................................... 23
3.2. Trends in GHG’s in comparison to the base year .................................................................................. 24
3.3. Trends in GHG emissions in comparison with GDP .............................................................................. 26
3.4. Emissions in the Basque Country compared to other countries .................................................... 27
3.5. Trends in GHG emissions including imported electricity ................................................................... 29
3.5.1. Direct & indirect emissions from each sector of activity ................................................................ 31
4. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................................................................... 35
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
Presentation
7
Presentation
T he effects of greenhouse gas emissionsand the influence of GHG’s on climatechange are causes for world-wide con-
cern. Their concentration is resulting in ever-increasing global warming, and the morequickly the climate changes the greater the riskto the environment will be.
In 1992 the international community took on thisproblem at the Convention on Climate Change,led by the United Nations. This was the start ofa process which led to the adoption at the endof 1997 of the Kyoto Protocol, which establis-hed emission reduction targets for the first time.The Protocol urges industrialised countries toreduce overall levels of six greenhouse gases byat least 5% of 1990 levels by 2008-2012.
In the Basque Country, one of the prime goalsof the Basque Strategy for Sustainable Develop-ment 2002-2020 is precisely to curtail the emis-sion of gases harmful to the atmosphere, thushelping to meet the objectives of Kyoto.
This inventory of greenhouse gases has beendrawn up as part of that framework. Its purpo-se is to gather accurate, comparable datawhich will help establish strategies for action tosolve this problem.
The document follows the methods proposedby the United Nations, and analyses thetrends in anthropogenic emissions of the maingreenhouse gases over the past decade (1990– 2000). It also looks at the economic/ con-sumer activities and processes which producethese gases. The report shows that over theperiod considered emissions increased by25%.
The report also reveals that the biggest increa-ses in emissions took place in transport and ser-vices, electricity generation and municipal solidwaste, all of which are activities linked to bothproduction and consumption. It can be deducedfrom this that reducing emissions is not just ajob for the public authorities, but also a sharedresponsibility for institutions, businesses and thegeneral public alike.
More emphasis on alternatives to fossil fuels asenergy sources, and a greater rationalisationof energy consumption, more use of publictransport and efforts to reduce waste on thepart of all players in the economy and insociety in general are needed if we are tomake progress in the fight against climatechange. If solutions are not found, the situationwill only get worse.
Sabin IntxaurragaBasque Minister for Land Use and theEnvironment
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
There is world-wide consensus that the changesin the world’s climate observed in recent yearsare influenced by increases in the concentra-tions in the atmosphere of the so-called “green-house gases” (whose name derives from theirinfluence on global warming).
Before the onset of the industrial age, levels ofgreenhouse gases in the atmosphere were moreor less constant for thousands of years. Since1750 the levels of many greenhouse gaseshave been rising as a direct or indirect conse-quence of human activities.
Table 1 gives examples of several greenhousegases and indicates their levels in 1750 and1998, plus their rate of increase in the 1990’sand the time they remain in the atmosphere.
Introduction
9
1Introduction
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
According to the third IPCC (IntergovernmentalPanel on Climate Change) report the concen-tration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increasedby 31% since 1750. The current level is unsur-
passed in the last 420,000 years, and pro-bably in the last 20 million years. The currentgrowth rate of CO2 has no precedent in at leastthe last 20,000 years.10
Intro
duct
ion
Growth Residence Global
GHG’s Chemical Preindustrial Concentration rate over time in the Anthropogenic Warmingformula Concentration in 1998 the 1990’s atmosphere sources Potential
(GWP)*
Variable - Burning of fossil
Carbon Dioxide CO2 278,000 ppbv 365,000 ppbv 1,500 ppbv/yr (5-200 - fuels 1
years) - I and use change
- Production of cement, lime, etc.
- Fossil fuels
Methane CH4 700 ppbv 1745 ppbv 7 ppbv/yr 12 - Rice fields 21**
- Dump sites
- Livestock farms
Nitrous Oxide N2O 270 ppbv 316 ppbv 0.8 ppbv/yr 114 - Fertilisers 310
CFC-11 CClF3 0 0.268 ppbv -1,4 pptv/yr 45 - Liquid coolants 6200-7100***
- Foams
HFC-23 CFCl3 0 0.014 ppbv 0.55 pptv/yr 260 - Liquid coolants 1300-1400***
Perfluorome thane CF4 0.040 0.080 ppbv 1 pptv/yr 50,000 - Aluminium production 6500
Sulphur SF6 0 0.0042 ppbv 0.24 pptv/yr 3,200 - Dielectric fluids 23900hexafluoride
Notes: pptv = 1 part per trillion volume; ppbv = 1 part per billion volume; ppmv = 1 part per million volume* GWP for an average half life of 100 years
** Including indirect effects of formation of tropospheric ozone & stratospheric water vapour*** Net warming potential (including indirect effects of ozone layer depletion)
Table 1. Main Greenhouse Gases
Illustration 1. Increases in world atmospheric concentration of CO2 from the onset of the IndustrialRevolution, in ppm1.
360
350
340
330
320
3101960 1970 1980 1990 2000
-450 -400 -350 -300 -250 -200 -150 -100 -50 0
400
350
300
250
200
150
Human disturbance
Thousands of years
Atm
osp
her
ic C
O2
(pp
mV
)C
on
cen
trat
ion
(p
pm
)
Atm
osp
her
ic C
O2
(pp
mV
)
50
1 ppm = parts per million (ppb = parts per billion). This is the ratio of GHG or, in this case, CO2, to the total number ofmolecules of dry air. Thus, 300 ppm of CO2 means there are 300 molecules of CO2 per million molecules of dry air.
Sources: UNEP/ GRID-Arendal & Climate Change 2001: “The Scientific Basis”
Source: UNEP-GRID-Arendal
11
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
The concentration of CH4 in the atmosphere hasincreased by 151% since 1750 to a level unsur-passed in the last 420,000 years.
N2O concentration is up by 17% from 1750levels, and it continues to increase. Such con-centrations have not been attained for severalthousand years.
Since 1995 the concentration in the atmosphe-
re of halocarbonated gases which are bothgreenhouse gases and ozone-layer destroyers(CFCl2 and CF2Cl2) has been increasing moreslowly, and has even dropped in some casesas a result of the regulatory measures passedin the Montreal Protocol. However the levels ofthe substances which have replaced them inthe atmosphere (CHF2Cl and CF3CH2F) areincreasing, and these are also greenhousegases.
Illustration 2. The Greenhouse Effect
1.1. Climate Change: A Description
The earth absorbs radiation from the sun,mainly on its surface. The energy absorbed isredistributed by atmospheric and marinecurrents and radiated back out to space asinfra-red radiation. Over the earth as a wholethe incoming solar energy and the energyradiated back into space balance each otherout. Any factor which alters how much radiationis received from the sun or radiated back into
space, or which upsets the distribution ofenergy within the atmosphere or between theatmosphere, the earth and the oceans, canaffect the climate.
As a result, increasing levels of GHG’s in theatmosphere can be expected to lessen the effi-ciency with which the earth’s surface radiatesenergy back into space, leading to a warmingof the lower atmosphere and the surface of theplanet.
Climate change is also highly likely to have asignificant effect on the world’s environment. Ingeneral, the faster the climate changes, the gre-ater risk there will be of damage to the envi-ronment. The characteristics of global warmingwhich are already present at a global levelinclude the following:
- Higher temperatures in the lower atmosphere;- Cloudier skies, with more rain and more watervapour;
- Shrinkage of the thickness and the area cove-red by the polar ice caps and the glaciers ofthe Arctic;
- Warming of the oceans and higher sea levels.
12
Intro
duct
ion
Illustration 3. Main consequences of climate change
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
1.2. Climate Change: InternationalAgreements
Great efforts will be needed to stabilise the levelsof GHG’s in the atmosphere. The internationalcommunity is tackling this challenge through theConvention on Climate Change led by the UnitedNations. With more than 170 signatories since
its inception in 1992, this convention seeks toachieve the stabilisation of GHG levels in theatmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenicinterference in the climate system. With that inmind, the developed countries undertook to indi-vidually or jointly restore 1990 levels of carbondioxide and other GHG’s not controlled underthe Montreal Protocol by 2000.
In its first period of sessions, the Conference ofthe Parties to the Convention reached the con-clusion that the undertaking given by the deve-loped countries was insufficient to achieve thelong-term goal of preventing dangerous anthro-pogenic interference in the climate system.Moreover, the Conference agreed to undertakea process intended to take appropriate measu-res for the period following 2000 through theadoption of a protocol or some other suitablelegal instrument.
This resulted in the adoption on 11th December1997 of the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Frame-
work Convention, in which the Parties to theConvention agreed by consensus that indus-trialised countries had a compulsory duty toreduce the overall levels of their six main gre-enhouse gases by at least 5%. For the Europe-an Union this meant an 8% reduction on 1990levels for the period from 2008 to 2012(though Spain was permitted a 15% increase).
In the Basque Environmental Strategy for Sus-tainable Development 2002-2020, the Basqueautonomous Community has established thecurtailing of GHG’s as one of its priority goals,to help fulfil the Kyoto protocol.
13
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
15
On ratifying the Kyoto protocol, each signa-tory must, within one year before the com-mencement of the first period of commitment,establish a nation-wide system for estimatinganthropogenic emissions by sources and cal-culating the absorption capabilities of sinks forall GHG’s not controlled under the MontrealProtocol.
The methods used in these estimations must bethose accepted by the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change and agreed by the Confe-rence of the Parties in its third period of ses-sions.
The method adopted by the Basque Country forits inventory of GHG’s is that proposed by theIPCC. The intention at all times has been toobtain valid, comparable data which will betraceable and consistent for future updates, andto establish plans and strategies for action to cutemissions.
The six gases to be inventoried are:
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Methane (CH4)
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC’s)
- Perfluorocarbons (PFC’s)
- Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
The source processes or sinks to be inventoriedare:
1. Energy. This includes all activities related topower transmission, transformation and con-sumption.
2. Industrial processes. All activities whichby dint of their process characteristics aresources of GHG emissions (combustion pro-cesses in industry are classed under “EnergyIndustries”)
3. Solvent & other product use. This hea-ding covers basically NMVOC’s (non metha-nic volatile organic compounds) arising fromthe use of solvents.
4. Agriculture. Emissions from working theland, raising livestock, etc., excluding com-bustion processes and waste water treat-ment.
5. Land use change & forestry. Variationsin emissions & absorption in sinks due to chan-ges in land use and in forestry.
6. Waste. Dump sites & waste treatment.
7. Others. All sources not belonging to theabove groups.
Before calculations were drawn up, the dataavailable in the BAC were analysed, as werethe studies and ratios used in the EuropeanUnion as a whole and in certain member states,including Spain, France and Austria. The gaseswhich contribute most to the greenhouse effectin Spain and in the EU as a whole are CO2,CH4 and N2O4, in four sectors of activity.
M e t h o d s
2M e t h o d s
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
16
Met
hods
Illustration 4. Mean contribution of each GHG to aggregate emissions of GHG’s in the EU and inSpain from 1900 to 2000
SPAIN
CH4
10.5 %
N2O8.3 %
HFC1.5 %
PFC0.2 %
SF6
0.0 %
CO2
79.5 %
CH4
9.3 %
N2O9.1 %
HFC0.9 %
PFC0.2 % SF6
0.2 %
EUROPE
CO2
80.3 %
Illustration 5. Mean contribution of each IPCC group to aggregate GHG emissions in the EU andSpain (not counting absorption in sinks) from 1990 to 2000
EUROPE
Industrialprocesses
7.0 %
Use ofsolvents0.2 %
Agriculture9.6 %
Land usechange &forestry0.2 %
Waste3.3 %
Energy79.7 %
Industrialprocesses
7.8 %
Useof solvents
0.5 %
Agriculture11.8 %
Land use change& forestry
0.0 %Waste3.7 %
Energy76.2 %
SPAIN
The purpose of the inventory for the BC, whosefirst results are presented here, is to estimateanthropogenic emissions of CO2, CH4 andN2O in the following groups: (1) Energy; (2)Industrial Processes; (4) Agriculture; and (6)Waste. In 2000 these groups accounted bet-ween them for 96.8% of aggregate GHG emis-sions in Spain, and 98.2% in Europe. This firststage of the project has drawn up an inventoryof emissions of the main GHG’s in the chiefcontributing sectors of the BAC. Future updatesof the inventory will include the remaininggases and processes/ activities of lesser signi-ficance.
Inventories can be drawn up on the basis ofmeasurements, but emissions were estimatedhere using the Revised IPCC Directives method.This method entails multiplying activity figures(quantity of fuel burned, output, fertiliser use,etc.) by general ratios which link them with theemissions which they generate, thus giving ageneral approximation of what is occurring.These ratios can be taken as highly accurate forCO2, as they are based on data on the carboncontent of fossil fuels. However they are not soaccurate for CH4, N2O and other pollutants.Therefore, specific data on facilities and activi-ties are used wherever they are available.
17
R e s u l t s
Illustration 6. Trends in GHG emissions (CO2, N2O and CH4) produced in the Basque Country (tonsof CO2 equivalent)
20.000.000
18.000.000
16.000.000
14.000.000
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Annual trends in GHG emissions
N2OCH4CO2
Em
issi
on
s (t
on
s o
f C
O2 e
qu
ival
ent)
2 Base year for the undertakings established in the Kyoto Protocol.3 The latest year for which the official data required for the inventory are available.
3R e s u l t s
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
The main results of the study are given below, inline with the goal of inventorying and analysingtrends in anthropogenic emissions of the mainGHG’s (CO2, CH4 and N2O) produced in the
Basque Country through combustion, agricultu-re, industrial processes and the management ofmunicipal solid waste (MSW) between 19902
and 20003.
3.1.1. Main sources of GHG emissionsin the Basque Country
The main sources of CO2 are combustion pro-cesses (stationary and mobile) and industrial
processes (manufacture of mineral products &reduction of iron ore: the latter contributed toemissions in the BAC in the last few years ofoperation of the Altos Hornos de Vizcaya steelmill).
18
Resu
lts
Illustration 7. Distribution of CO2 emissions in the Basque Country
Losses intransformation
4.5 %
Mineralproducts5.7 % Steel making
& metallurgy0.0 %
Combustion89.8 %
CO 20002
Losses intransformation
5.2 %
Mineralproducts
5.4 % Steel making& metallurgy
4.3 %
Combustion85.1 %
CO 19902
3.1. Trends in GHG emissions in theBasque Country
Aggregate GHG emissions from processes asper IPCC groups (1) Energy; (2) Industrial Pro-cesses; (4) Agriculture; and (6) Waste in theBasque Country totalled 18,500,000 tons ofCO2 equivalent in 2000. This figure is up by25.3% on emission levels in 1990, the baseyear for the Kyoto Protocol in regard to emis-sions of these gases.
Illustration 6 and Table 2 show the trends ofemissions in the Basque Country.
The illustration shows direct GHG’s (CO2, CH4
and N2O) in terms of tons of CO2 equivalent.Figures in tons of CH4 and N2O are convertedto tons of CO2 equivalent by multiplying the pro-duct of their emissions by their global warmingpotentials of 21 and 310 respectively.
In spite of their higher GWP, CH4 and N2O con-tribute much less to GHG emissions than CO2.
GHG’s 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
CO2 12.479 13.280 13.862 13.305 13.219 13.163 11.870 10.843 12.384 14.414 15.819
CH4 1.679 1.735 1.880 1.824 1.855 1.891 1.729 1.773 1.905 1.935 2.056
N2O 669 668 689 682 674 704 728 713 697 704 706
Total 14.827 15.683 16.432 15.811 15.748 15.758 14.326 13.329 14.986 17.053 18.582
Table 2. Trends in GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in the Basque Country (in Gg of CO2 equi-valent)
*
* The foundry industry is not included in this figure.
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
The main sources of CH4 in the Basque Countryare the dumping of MSW and agriculture, with
enteric fermentation and the anaerobic mana-gement of manure as significant contributors.
Illustration 8. Distribution of CH4 emissions in the Basque Country
Dumps66.0 %
Agriculture28.0 % Enteric frmentation
19.4 %
Losses intransformation
4.0 %
Combustion2.0 %
Manuremanagement
8.1 %
Stubbleburning0.5 %
CH4 1990
Dumps74.0 %
Agriculture20.1 % Enteric fermentation
14.2 %
Losses inTransformation
4.1 %
Combustion1.8 %
Manuremanagement
5.4 %
Stubbleburning0.5 %
CH4 2000
Illustration 9. Distributions of N2O emissions in the Basque Country
Chemicalindustry43.2 %
N2O 1990
Combustion5.7 % Manure
management4.8 %
Stubble burning0.4 %
Agriculturalland
45.9 %
Chemicalindustry46.3 %
N2O 2000
Combustion6.2 % Manure
management3.4 %
Stubble burning0.5 %
Agriculturalland
43.6 %
The main sources of N2O emissions in the Bas-que Country are agriculture (mainly fertiliser
use on agricultural land) and the chemicalindustry.
19
3.1.2. Trends in CO2 emissions
The main source of CO2 is combustion proces-ses. This is followed by industrial activities,
where clinker production, quicklime production
and the reduction of iron ore at Altos Hornos de
Vizcaya have all contributed.
20
Resu
lts
Illustration 10. Trends in CO2 emissions by IPCC sectors
Met
ric
ton
s o
f C
O2
Anual trends in CO2 emissions by activity18.000.000
16.000.000
14.000.000
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Energy Industrial Processes Agriculture Waste
Trends in overall CO2 emissions are stronglyinfluenced by emissions in IPCC group 1,“Energy”, which covers all stationary and mobi-le combustion processes, plus losses during theexploitation, transportation and transformationof fuels.
The IPCC method does not take into accountCO2 emissions from the biomass. As part oftheir life cycle, plants fix CO2 from the atmos-phere via photosynthesis. When a plant dies
the carbon stored in its organic matter decom-poses and releases heat and CO2, which isreabsorbed in the next cycle of plant growth. Ifthis balance is maintained there is no net incre-ase in carbon in the atmosphere, and combus-tion only accelerates the natural process ofdecomposition. Unlike the fixed/ released car-bon cycle in plant biomass, the burning of fos-sil fuels releases carbon which had been storedup for centuries, and results in a net increase ofCO2 in the atmosphere.
CO2 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Energy11,274 12,011 12,779 12,072 11,873 11,963 10,967 10,030 11,576 13,484 14,925(IPCC 1)
IndustrialProcesses 1,205 1,268 1,083 1,233 1,346 1,201 903 813 808 930 894(IPCC 2)
Total 12,479 13,280 13,862 13,305 13,219 13,163 11,870 10,843 12,384 14,414 15,819
Table 3. Annual trends in CO2 emissions by activities (Gg CO2)
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
Each sector contributes differently to the overallemissions. In the case of CO2 these differencesdepend basically on the type and quantity offuel burned. Thus, CO2 emissions, aggregate
GHG emissions and energy consumption allshow minimum levels in 1997, largely as aresult of a drop in activity in the steel makingand foundry sector.
Illustration 11. Sectoral trends in consumption and CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in theBasque Country (IPCC Group 1.A)
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
01990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
16.000.000
14.000.000
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
01990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Sectoral energy consumption (Basque Country) Trend in CO2 emissions/ IPCC sector (1990 - 2000)
Co
nsu
mp
tio
n (
Kte
p)
Tm
Processing
Transport
Manuf. Industries & construction
Other sectorsManuf. Industries & construction
Other sectors
Processing
Transport
The contribution of each fuel to CO2 emissionsdepends on the quantity of fuel used and on itscarbon content per unit of energy. That contentdepends in turn on the type of fuel: for instance
coal contains 30% more carbon than oil, and
60% more than natural gas, so its contribution
to emissions is correspondingly higher.
Illustration 12. Trends in consumption and CO2 emissions from IPCC Group 1.A, combustion pro-cesses, per type of fuel in the Basque Country
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Kte
p
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
16.000.000
14.000.000
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
0
Tm
CO
2
Consumption per fuel type (1990-2000) Annual trend in CO2 emissions/ fuel type (1990-2000)
Liquid fuels Solid fuels
Biomass
Other fuels
Gaseous fuels Liquid fuels Solid fuels
Gaseous fuels Other fuels
21
Between 1990 and 2000 petroleum derivativeswere the most widely consumed fuels for gene-rating energy, accounting for an average of57% of total energy consumption. They werefollowed in order of importance by natural gas(which is being used more and more) and coal.Coal consumption in 1990 accounted foraround 20% (including coal used to make blastfurnace gas and battery gas), but by 2000 haddropped to 8% of the total fuel for energy. It isused mainly by coal-fired power plants, cementfactories and the steel making and foundryindustries, though these latter industries areusing it less and less.
Consumption of petroleum derivatives is alsolinked to transport and electricity generationthrough power stations and co-generationplants (included under Manufacturing Indus-tries and Construction in the IPCC classifica-tion).
Natural gas is used mainly by industry and thetertiary sector (residential and services).
Use of renewable energy sources in the BasqueCountry is concentrated mainly in the papermaking sector, which uses bark and blackliquors, and to a lesser extent in the woodindustry and the residential sector.
3.1.3. Trends in CH4 emissions
The main source of CH4 emissions is the anae-robic fermentation of organic matter in biologi-cal systems. Agricultural processes such as ente-ric fermentation by animals (the digestive pro-cess of ruminants, in which bacteria in the sto-mach decompose the carbohydrate intake, endemit methane as a by-product) and the decom-position of animal droppings, plus the decom-position of degradable organic matter at MSWdumps all contribute.
Other sources of methane emission in the Bas-que Country include fugitive emissions duringthe transportation and distribution of naturalgas and the incomplete combustion of fuel (bothincluded in group 1, “Energy”).
22
Resu
lts
Illustration 13. Trends in CH4 emissions in the Basque Country by IPCC sectors
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
120.000
100.000
80.000
60.000
40.000
20.000
0
To
ns
of C
H4
Annual trend in CH4 emissions by activities
Energy Industrial Processes Agriculture Waste
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
As can be seen, the biggest contribution tomethane emissions is from MSW dumps. Orga-nic matter at dumps is decomposed by bacteriaand gives off biogas (sometimes known as“landfill gas”), comprising basically CO2 andCH4. The IPCC method does not count carbondioxide from decomposition of organic matterat dump sites or from biogas combustion as netemissions. Instead it considers them as origina-ting in a natural process which is the inverse ofphotosynthesis and therefore does not increasethe net carbon content in the atmosphere, as the
CO2 is reabsorbed by plants in the next growthcycle, provided a sustainable balance is main-tained.
The contribution of MSW dumps is increasingslightly, even though the biogas plants now ope-rating – Artigás (1992), San Markos (1995)and Sasieta (2000) – have helped bring downemissions by more than 20,000 tons to date.As indicated above, CO2 emissions from bio-gas combustion are not counted in the IPCCmethod.
CH4 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Energy4,797 4,647 4,638 4,314 4,078 4,704 4,727 4,291 4,835 5,300 5,801(IPCC 1)
Agriculture22,401 22,210 22,438 21,970 21,573 21,908 21,910 20,976 21,002 20,239 19,699(IPCC 4)
Waste52,759 55,757 62,465 60,586 62,664 63,435 55,680 59,175 64,879 66,625 72,414(IPCC 6)
Total 79,958 82,614 89,541 86,870 88,316 90,047 82,317 84,442 90,715 92,164 97,914
3.1.4. Trends in N2O emissions
The main anthropogenic sources of N2O in theBasque Country are agricultural land (espe-
cially as regards emissions arising from the useof synthetic and organic fertilisers), the indus-trial production of nitric acid and combustionprocesses, particularly from mobile sources.
Illustration 14. Trends in N2O emissions in the Basque Country by IPCC sectors
Ton
s o
f N
2O
Annual trend in N2O emissions by activities
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001993199219911990
0
500
1.000
1.500
2.000
2.500
WasteAgricultureIndustrial ProcessesEnergy
23
Table 4. Trends in CH4 emissions (Mg of CH4) by IPCC sectors
Emissions from agricultural land are the result ofnitrification (microbial aerobic oxidation ofammonium to nitrate) and denitrification (anae-robic reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen gas).Nitrous oxide is an intermediate gas in the reac-tion sequences of both processes, and leaks offthe walls of microbes into the atmosphere. Inmost agricultural land N2O formation intensifieswhen the nitrogen available increases, thus alsoincreasing the amount of nitrification and deni-trification.
The main industrial source of N2O in the BasqueCountry lies in secondary reactions during theproduction of nitric acid.
3.2. Trends in GHG’s in comparisonwith the base year
Annual trends in anthropogenic emissions ofGHG’s in the Basque Country (CO2, CH4 andN2O) are as follows, taking 1990 as the baseyear.
24
Resu
lts
Illustration 15. Annual trends in aggregate GHG emissions in the Basque Country in comparisonwith the base year
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-15%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
5.77%
10.82%
6.64% 6.21% 6.28%
-3.38%
-10.10%
1.07%
15.01%
25.32%
Percentage of change in GHG emissions in comparison to base year
N2O 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Energy123 121 128 130 129 133 118 104 112 133 147(IPCC 1)
IndustrialProcesses 931 941 951 964 976 989 1,002 1,015 1,027 1,040 1,053(IPCC 2)
Agriculture1,103 1,093 1,145 1,106 1,069 1,150 1,228 1,182 1,111 1,097 1,079(IPCC 4)
Total 2,158 2,155 2,223 2,200 2,175 2,272 2,347 2,300 2,250 2,270 2,279
Table 5. Trends in N2O emissions (Mg of N2O) by IPCC sectors
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
The biggest contributors to the increase in emis-sions in the Basque Country from 1990 to
2000 are the following:
Illustration 16. Absolute changes in GHG emissions in the Basque Country in 2000 comparativelyto those in 1990.
-750 -250 250 750 1.250 1.750
BASQUE COUNTRY
Absolute change in Gg of CO2 equivalent
1.A.3. Transport (CO2)
1.A.1. Energy Industries (CO2)
1.A.4. Other Sectors (CO2)
6.A. Waste (CH4)
1.B.1. Crude oil & natural gas (CO2)
2.A. Mineral products (CO2)
2.B. Chemical industry (N2O)
1.B.1. Crude oil & natural gas (CH4)
1.A.3. Transport (N2O)
1.A.1. Energy Industries (N2O)
1.A.2. Manufacturing industries & construction (N2O)
4.B. Manure Management (CH4)
4.A. Enteric fermentation (CH4)
1.A.2. Manufacturing ind. & construction (CO2)
1.B.1. Solid fuels (CO2)
2.C. Metal production (CO2)
4.B. Manure Management (N2O)
Sectors in the Basque Country with the greatest variation Absolute variation Relativein emissions from 1990 to 2000 Gg (thousands of tons) variation
1.A.3. Transport (CO2) 1,892 70.6%1.A.1. Energy Industries (CO2) 1,330 55.5%1.A.4. Other Sectors (CO2) 579 53.1%
6.A. Waste (CH4) 413 37.3%1.B.1. Crude oil & natural gas (CO2) 386 125.6%
2.A. Mineral products (CO2) 223 33.3%2.B. Chemical industry (N2) 38 13.1%
1.B.1. Crude oil & natural gas (CH4) 18 27.0%1.A.3. Transport (N2O) 5 78.4%1.A.1. Energy Industries (N2O) 5 71.7%1.A.2. Manufacturing industries & construction (N2O) -5 -23.3%
4.B. Manure Management (N2O) -9 -27.2%4.B. Manure Management (CH4) -26 -18.9%4.A. Enteric fermentation (CH4) -33 -10.1%
1.A.2. Manufacturing ind. & construction (CO2) -220 -4.9%1.B.1. Solid fuels (CO2) -317 -94.6%
2.C. Metal production (CO2) -535 -100.0%
Table 6. Absolute & relative changes in emissions of key source processes in the Basque Countryfrom 1990 to 2000
25
Overall GHG emissions in the Basque Countryare increasing due to increases in emissionsfrom transport, the service sector and electricitygeneration. This latter increase is due to increa-
sed demand for electricity in industry andamong end consumers in the service and resi-dential sectors.
26
Resu
lts
Illustration 17. Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country, in Spain and in the EU comparedto the Kyoto targets for Spain and the EU.
140
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
851990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
133.71%
125.32%
96.47%
GHG Index for SpainPath to Kyoto target for SpainKioto target for EU 15
GHG Index for Basque Country Path to Kyoto target for EUGHG Index for EU 15
Kyoto target for Spain
1990
= 1
00
3.3. Trends in GHG emissions incomparison with GDP
The graph below shows the trend of emissions,that of gross domestic product and the compa-
rative variation between them.
GDP increased to above 1990 levels in all theyears considered.
Illustration 18. Indices of GHG emissions, GDP4 of the Basque Country and ratio of emissions(including imported electricity) to GDP
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
1990
= 1
00
Index of trend in GDP
Index of trend in GHG emissions originating in the Basque Country
Index of trend in GHG emissions originating in the Basque Country compared to GDP
4 GDP at constant prices, taking 1995 as the base year.
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
The lowest point on the index showing trends inemissions is in 1997. This is due mainly to theclosure of the Altos Hornos steel mill, which wasa major consumer of fossil fuels and therefore alarge-scale emitter. After that year the indexrose again due to continuous increases in emis-sions from services, transport and electricitygeneration in response to greater demand fromend consumers.
Both emissions and GDP have increased since1996, but the rate of increase is faster for emis-sions. The increase in GAV (Gross AddedValue) in industry from 1996 to 2000 is greaterthan that in the service sector, but it is the latterthat contributes most to the GDP of the BasqueCountry. However the service sector does nothave such a high level of fuel consumption asindustry, and as a result emissions are increa-sing faster than GDP.
De-linking from economic growth is observablefrom 1993 to 1997, when emissions actually
dropped, but the link grows closer again from1997 to 2000, and the gradient is actually ste-eper for emissions than for GDP.
3.4. Emissions in the Basque Countrycompared to other countries
Although there are slight variations from year toyear, the general picture is that in 2000 fossilfuel consumption accounts for 77% of GHGemissions in the Basque Country, 75% in Spainand 79% in the 15 EU countries as a whole. IfCO2 alone is considered, combustion processesaccount for 90% of all emissions in the BasqueCountry, 92% in Spain and 94% in the 15 EUcountries as a whole.
The cement industry and mineral products arethe next biggest industrial sources of CO2 emis-sions: in the Basque Country they account for6% of the total, in Spain 7% and in the 15 EUcountries 5%.
Illustration 19. Mean distribution of GHG emissions in the EU, Spain and the Basque Country from1990 to 2000 by IPCC sectors
EUROPE
Industrialprocesses
7.0%
Solvent use0.2%
Agriculture9.6%
Land usechange &forestry0.2% Waste
3.3%
Energy79.7%
SPAIN
Industrialprocesses
7.8%
Solvent use0.5%
Agriculture11.8%
Land usechange &forestry0.0%
Waste3.7%
Energy76.2%
BASQUE COUNTRY
Industrialprocesses
8.4%
Agriculture4.6%
Waste7.5%
Energy79.5%
27
The bar graph below compares per capita GHGemissions in the Basque Country with those else-where, expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent. Tomake the figures comparable, only emissions ofCO2, CH4 and N2O in each country are counted(i.e. absorption in sinks is not included).
In the case of the Basque Country two series aregiven: the first shows the tons of GHG’s producedper capita in the Basque Country, and the secondincludes not only emissions produced within theBasque Autonomous Community itself but alsopotential emissions from electricity imports.
28
Resu
lts
Illustration 20. Per capita GHG emissions in 1990 and 1999 (this comparison covers onlyemissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O and does not take into account absorption insinks)
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Per capita GHG emissions in EU countries (1990-1999)
1990 1999
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
per
cap
ita
Unite
d Kin
gdom
Belgi
um
Denm
ark
Finl
and
Ger
man
y
Gre
ece
Irela
nd
Italy
Luxe
mbo
urg
The
Nethe
rland
s
Portu
gal
Swed
en
Austri
a
Fran
ceBas
que
Count
ry
Basqu
e co
untry
(inc
. ele
ctric
ity im
ports
)
Spain
EU 15
Per capita emissions in the Basque Country areamong the lowest anywhere in the EU, but thisis largely due to the fact that although the Bas-que Country is a major electricity consumer itis far from being able to supply all its ownrequirements and must therefore import electri-city. That imported electricity does not produceemissions at the point of consumption, but doesproduce them at the point of generation if it isproduced using fossil fuels. If electricity importsare taken into account per capita emissionlevels in the Basque Country (see “Basque
Country inc. electricity imports” on the graph)are similar to those in Germany and Greecefor 1999 and to those in France and Greecefor 1990.
A comparison of the contribution of emissionsfrom combustion in the Basque country and inSpain reveals that levels are more or less steadyfrom 1990 to 1995, and drop in 1996 withfalling fuel consumption, reaching their lowestlevel in 1997 before beginning to climb againin the following years.
Source: Own data based on studies submitted by UNFCC countries
Note: emissions for both years are divided by the nº of inhabitants in 1996
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
Illustration 21. Contribution of GHG emissions in the Basque Country to emissions in Spain as awhole.
6%
5%
4%
3%
2%
1%
0%
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
5.2% 5.3% 5.4% 5.5% 5.2% 5.0% 4.6%4.0% 4.4% 4.6% 4.8%
Illustration 22. Energy consumption and electricity imports
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
1000
0
Kte
p o
f im
po
rted
ele
ctri
city
Co
nsu
mp
tio
n in
Kte
p
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1.200
1.000
800
600
400
200
0
Sectoral energy consumption (Basque Country)
Transformation
Transport
Electricity imports in Ktep
Manufacturing Industries &Construction
Other sectors
5 GHG emissions in Spain are being compared (CO2, CH4, N2O, PFC’s, HFC’s and SF6), excluding CO2 sink absorption asper Group 5.
Source: Own data and date for Spain from the study submitted by Spain to the UNFCC5.
3.5. Trends in GHG emissions includingimported electricity
Estimates of emissions from combustion proces-ses which occur in the Basque Country do nottake into account the combustion involved ingenerating imported electricity: the energy
transformation involved in the processes gene-rally requires fossil fuels to be consumed, andtherefore gives rise to emissions of GHG’s at thepoint of origin.
The illustration below shows the trends in elec-tricity imports into the Basque Country.
29
The bar graph in the illustration below showsthat maximum levels for transformation coincidepractically with the minimum levels of electricityimports. This implies that in those years in whichless energy transformation for electricity takes
place, and therefore less fuel is required, emis-
sions in the BAC are lower, electricity imports
are higher and therefore emissions at the point
of origin outside the BAC are higher.
30
Resu
lts
Illustration 23. Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country taking emissions due to electricityimports into account.
Generation of electricity & heatElectricity importsOther activities
25.000
20.000
15.000
10.000
5.000
0
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
1.850 1.754 1.5903.084 2.896
4.998 5.0764.724
4.552 4.5924.899
4.376 5.1344.644
4.338 5.311
13.923 14.72514.582
14.614 14.58314.004
13.321 12.37413.396
13.969
15.685
1.165904 958 1.198 1.005 955
Th
ou
san
ds
of
ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
The data on GHG emission trends in compari-son to the base year obtained from the graph
and table above can be summed up asfollows:
Table 7. Emissions occurring in the Basque Country and those associated with electricity imports (Ggof CO2 equivalent)
1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
Total inBasque 14,827 15,683 16,432 15,811 15,748 15,758 14,326 13,329 14,986 17,053 18,582Country
Electricit4,998 5,076 4,724 4,552 4,592 4,899 4,376 5,134 4,644 4,338 5,311y imports
Total 19,825 20,759 21,155 20,363 20,340 20,657 18,702 18,464 19,631 21,391 23,893
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
3.5.1. Direct & indirect emissions fromeach sector of activity
To date our sectoral classification has followedthe IPCC guidelines. But if emissions from com-
bustion processes are included in the activities
where they take place rather than under
Energy, the effect of each activity on total emis-
sions can be seen.
Illustration 24. Change from base year levels for aggregate direct & indirect GHG emissions (inclu-ding electricity imports) in the Basque Country in percentage terms
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
-15%
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000
4.71%6.71%
2.71% 2.60% 4.20%
-5.66% -6.87%
-0.98%
7.90%
20.52%
Illustration 25. Direct emissions6 of GHG’s by activities
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990
25.000.000
20.000.000
15.000.000
10.000.000
5.000.000
0
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
Energy
Industry
Transport
Residential
Services
Agriculture
Waste
6 Direct emissions are those arising from the process carried out on the site where combustion takes place.
31
32
Resu
ltsIllustration 26. Direct emissions occurring in the Basque Country plus direct and indirect emissions
in the Basque Country (including electricity imports)
25.000.000
20.000.000
15.000.000
10.000.000
5.000.000
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990
32.2% 29.7%26.3%
22.5% 23.1%23.2% 25.8%23.7%
26.9%24.2%
24.3%25.5%
26.8%
27.2%30.8%
34.4%37.9% 37.3%35.5%
39.1%
24.7%
20.5%
22.4%
23.8%
21.6%
17.5% 17.9%16.5%17.9%
18.0%
4.7%
5.0%
5.2%
5.2%
5.5%
4.6%4.3%4.8%
4.2%4.5%
6.5%
6.6%
7.4%
8.4%
8.4%
7.3%7.8%7.8%
6.8%6.9%
8.2%
8.2%
9.1%
9.3%
8.2%
8.5%8.4%8.0%8.0%
7.5%
21.0%
40.4%
18.2%
4.2%
7.4%
7.5%
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
Direct GHG emissions
Energy
Industry
Transport
Residential
Services
Agriculture
Waste
25.000.000
20.000.000
15.000.000
10.000.000
5.000.000
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
Direct and indirect GHG emissions
15.5%
39.8%
19.6%
7.9%
5.8%
5.1%
6.4%
15.6%
41.5%
16.7%
8.3%
6.5%
5.3%
6.4%
16.5%
40.2%
17.5%
7.9%
5.3%
5.7%
6.9%
16.5%
39.7%
17.6%
7.9%
5.4%
6.1%
6.7%
16.5%
40.7%
16.9%
8.2%
4.9%
6.5%
6.3%
15.5%
46.3%
13.9%
7.4%
4.8%
5.6%
6.5%
15.5%
46.7%
13.9%
7.3%
4.1%
6.1%
6.5%
15.5%
47.1%
13.1%
7.7%
4.2%
6.1%
6.2%
15.2%
46.8%
14.2%
8.6%
3.6%
5.3%
6.2%
15.7%
47.8%
13.9%
8.3%
3.4%
5.3%
5.6%
14.5%
49.5%
13.9%
7.5%
3.3%5.6%
5.6%
Energy
Industry
Transport
Residential
Services
Agriculture
Waste
Note: Emissions from the energy sector include emissions from refineries and losses in transportation and distribution of bothfossil fuels and electricity.
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
Direct emissions from the energy sector includeemissions of GHG’s during the generation ofelectricity (thermo-electric plants, co-generationand biogas plants), refineries and fuel transfor-mation. As can be observed, the energy sectorhas considerably increased its emissions from1990 levels. But if these emissions producedduring electricity generation in the BasqueCountry and at the point of origin of importedelectricity are distributed according to the endconsumption of electricity and heat, the trendrevealed is different.
As shown in the illustrations below, the increasein emissions from electricity generation is due toincreasing demand for electricity from industry,services and the residential sector.
Disaggregating the direct and indirect emis-sions from those industries which consume mostenergy in the Basque Country, the overall trendis as per illustration 27 below.
The importance of the steel making andfoundry, metal processing, paste and paper,cement, rubber derivatives and glass industriesis significant. Between them they account in2000 for 70% of final energy consumption byindustry. The high energy consumption of thesefive industries and the emissions associatedwith their production processes (mineral andchemical industries), any variation in their out-put is reflected in consumption and emissionsfrom industrial processes, and in total emissionsin the Basque Country.
Steel making & foundries
Chemical industry
Rubber
Cement & lime
Machinery & metal products
Construction
Glass
Paper & card
Rest
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
01991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990
Direct and indirect GHG emissions
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
Illustration 27. Trends in direct and indirect emissions from industry in the Basque Country
12.000.000
10.000.000
8.000.000
6.000.000
4.000.000
2.000.000
01991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990
Direct GHG emissions
Ton
s o
f C
O2
equ
ival
ent
Steel making & foundries
Chemical industry
Rubber
Cement & lime
Machinery & metal products
Construction
Glass
Paper & card
Rest
33
1. Climate change is not somethingfor the future: it is a fact. Almost allhuman activities generate GHG’s, sopopulation growth and the current econo-mic system are the two biggest variablesin this global problem.
2. The fight against climate changecannot be put off until its effects are
obvious. If measures are not taken itseffects will worsen over time and it will betoo late to prevent some of its consequences.
3. The search for solutions and thetaking of action must be world-wide, and must involve all states.The Kyoto protocol establishes a basis fortackling this challenge properly.
Conclusions
35
150
140
130
120
110
100
90
80
70
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 20001990 1990 1999
Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country, GDP of population, energyconsumption and GHG emission per capita in comparison with EU 15
Ton
elad
as p
e cá
pit
a
1990
= 1
00
Per capita GHG emissionsin the Basque Country
Per capita GHGemissions in the EU
Per capita GHG emissionsin the Basque Countryincluding electricity imports
GDP
GHG emissions in theBasque Country
Trends in energyconsumption
Trends inpopulation
GHG emissionsincluding electricityimports
GHG emissions includingelectricity imports by GDP
4Conclusions
Inve
ntor
yof
Gre
enho
use
Gas
Emis
sion
sin
the
Basq
ue C
ount
ry (1
990
• 20
00)
4. The response to climate change should notcome exclusively from institutions. Eachindividual has their personal res-ponsibility, and can help to reduceenergy consumption in their home,in transport and in their workpla-ce.
5. In our country one of the five priority goalslaid down for the coming years in the Bas-que Environmental Strategy for Sustaina-ble Development 2002 – 2020 is the cur-tailing of GHG emissions to help fulfil theKyoto protocol.
6. Emissions of the main GHG’s generatedin the Basque Country total 18.6 milliontonnes of CO2 equivalent. This figure isup by 25% on the level for 1990.(The increase in Spain as a whole is33.7%).
7. If we take into account that the BasqueCountry imports a great deal of electricitywhich also produces emissions, the sumtotal of emissions inside and outside the
BC attributable to our social and economicactivities is 23.9 million tons of CO2 equi-valent, an increase of 20.5% on 1990levels.
8. Bearing in mind total sectoral energy con-sumption, the biggest increases inemissions over the last 10 yearshave come in transport, energytransformation, services anddomestic consumption.
9. Per capita GHG generation from thesocial and economic activities of the BACis close to the European average level. Thefigure is down from 1990 levels in termsof CO2 equivalent per unit of GDP.
0. In the face of climate change, the fun-damental lines for action by theBasque Government must betransport policy, energy genera-tion, energy efficiency (especiallyin industry) and the fostering ofenergy saving in all sectors of acti-vity.
36
Con
clus
ions
1