EU Agency says CO2 Emissions Rose by 1.8 Percent between 2002-03
Date: 22-Jun-05
Country: BELGIUM
The European Environment Agency said an extra 59 million tonnes of CO2, which represents 80 percent of all EU emissions, were released into the atmosphere in the 15 EU states, measured before its expansion to 25 states in 2004.
The EU has agreed to cut total greenhouse gas emissions by 8.0 percent of their 1990 levels by 2012 to fight global warming as part of the Kyoto treaty.
Green group Friends of the Earth said the figures showed the bloc was far behind in meeting its target and emissions should have dropped by 5.2 percent in 2003 compared to 1990 for western Europe to be on track.
"The new figures are shocking, as they indicate that Europe will most likely not meet its obligation to limit dangerous climate change," said FOE Europe's Jan Kowalzig in a statement.
"The blame goes mostly to national economy and industry ministers, who constantly block any attempts to introduce mandatory targets for renewable energies, energy efficiency rules or fuel consumption standards for cars," he added.
CO2 emissions have risen by 3.4 percent since 1990 according to the EEA figures.
The worst offenders are Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Spain. Under Kyoto, Austria is supposed to cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 13 percent between 1990 and 2012. Its emissions jumped 16.6 percent in 2002 compared to 1990.
