Spain Says CO2 Emissions Falling for First Time
Date: 07-Nov-06
Country: SPAIN
Spain's carbon dioxide (CO2) output rose 53 percent between 1990 and 2005, while the country has agreed to limit its increase on 1990 levels to 15 percent by 2008-12, which is the second phase of the international Kyoto agreement to curb climate change.
"Emissions of greenhouse gases seem to be slowing in Spain for the first time... We estimate they fell 1 percent in the first half of this year," Narbona told a conference.
That fall would be 1 percent against the first half of 2005, not against 1990.
A study by union CCOO and environmental group Worldwatch puts Spain's 2005 emissions at 53 percent above the 1990 level. The government's figures for 2004 show the increase at 48 percent.
Spain's plan for industry emissions for 2008-12, which is likely to be approved by ministers next Friday and then sent to the European Commission, cuts industry's CO2 quotas by some 16 percent.
But most of the growth in emissions so far has been from transport and households, which are not included in the quota plan.
Among nations that signed Kyoto, Spain has exceeded its target by the largest amount. Its steady economic growth has given consumers more spending power, which has translated into more cars on the roads and growing demand for electricity.
Narbona noted that this year the government had raised electricity prices by more than a token amount, closing some of gap between what consumers pay and the real cost of power.
The Environment Ministry says the price of both electricity and water is below cost and needs to rise to encourage people to use less.