Large reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

Norwegian greenhouse gas emissions in 2009 amounted to 50.8 million tonnes CO₂ equivalents. This is 5.4 per cent lower than in 2008. The strong reduction is partly due to lower emissions from manufacturing industries and oil and gas activities. There is reason to believe that the emissions continue to be influenced by the financial crisis.

This is indicated in preliminary figures in the Norwegian emission inventory, which is compiled by Statistics Norway in collaboration with the Climate and Pollution Agency.

For the second year running, Norway’s total greenhouse gas emissions have decreased. In 2009, 50.8 million tonnes CO₂ equivalents were emitted, which is the lowest level since 1995. A great deal of the reduction is due to lower emissions from the manufacturing industries and oil and gas activities, but emissions from road traffic and agriculture also decreased.

Continued emission decrease in manufacturing industries

The emissions from manufacturing industries were reduced from 14 million tonnes CO₂ equivalents in 2008 to 12.5 million tonnes in 2009, which represents a 10.7 per cent reduction. There is a particularly strong reduction from metal production – according to Statistics Norway’s monthly index of production, the production was reduced by 20 per cent in the same period. This must be regarded as a result of the international financial crisis. Over time, the industry will recover from the crisis, which in turn may lead to higher emissions. Emissions of N₂ O from chemical manufacturing, which include production of fertilizer, also decreased.

Power supply is included in manufacturing industries in the emission statistics. Due to higher activity at the gas power plant at Kårstø, combustion emissions from manufacturing industries have increased somewhat.

Source: Statistics Norway