INVENTORY OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS 1990-2000

Serie Programa Marco Ambiental N.º 11 Noviembre 2002

Ingurumen Jarduketarako Sozietate Publikoa Sociedad Pública Gestión Ambiental

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country [1990 • 2000]

LURRALDE ANTOLAMENDU ETA INGURUMEN SAILA

DEPARTAMENTO DE ORDENACION DEL TERRITORIO Y MEDIO AMBIENTE

Environmental Framework Programme Series • Nº 1, November 2000, Economic Impact of Environmental Spending and Investment of 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. TMA Indicators 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 Basque Country

www. Ingurumena.net Basque 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 Basque Country [1990 • 2000]

I n d e x

I n d e x .......................................................................................................................................................................................................

1. Introduction

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1.1. Climate Change: Description

.................................................................................................................................

1.2. Climate Change: International Agreements

9 11

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12

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15

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17

2. Methods 3. Results

7

3.1. Trends in GHG Emissions in the Basque Country

...................................................................................

18

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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

3.1.1. Main sources of GHG emissions in the Basque Country

3.2. Trends in GHG’s in comparison to the base year

..................................................................................

3.3. Trends in GHG emissions in comparison with GDP

..............................................................................

27

...................................................................

29

................................................................

31

.....................................................................................................................................................................................

35

3.5.1. Direct & indirect emissions from each sector of activity

4. Conclusions

26

....................................................

3.4. Emissions in the Basque Country compared to other countries 3.5. Trends in GHG emissions including imported electricity

24

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Presentation

Presentation

Presentation

Sabin Intxaurraga Basque Minister for Land Use and the Environment

In 1992 the international community took on this problem at the Convention on Climate Change, led by the United Nations. This was the start of a process which led to the adoption at the end of 1997 of the Kyoto Protocol, which established emission reduction targets for the first time.

The Protocol urges industrialised countries to reduce overall levels of six greenhouse gases by at least 5% of 1990 levels by 2008-2012.

In the Basque Country, one of the prime goals of the Basque Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002-2020 is precisely to curtail the emission of gases harmful to the atmosphere, thus helping to meet the objectives of Kyoto.

This inventory of greenhouse gases has been drawn up as part of that framework. Its purpose is to gather accurate, comparable data which will help establish strategies for action to solve this problem.

The document follows the methods proposed by the United Nations, and analyses the trends in anthropogenic emissions of the main greenhouse gases over the past decade (1990 – 2000). It also looks at the economic/ consumer activities and processes which produce these gases. The report shows that over the period considered emissions increased by 25%.

The report also reveals that the biggest increases in emissions took place in transport and services, electricity generation and municipal solid waste, all of which are activities linked to both production and consumption. It can be deduced from this that reducing emissions is not just a job for the public authorities, but also a shared responsibility for institutions, businesses and the general public alike.

More emphasis on alternatives to fossil fuels as energy sources, and a greater rationalisation of energy consumption, more use of public transport and efforts to reduce waste on the part of all players in the economy and in society in general are needed if we are to make progress in the fight against climate change. If solutions are not found, the situation will only get worse.

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

T

he effects of greenhouse gas emissions and the influence of GHG’s on climate change are causes for world-wide concern. Their concentration is resulting in everincreasing global warming, and the more quickly the climate changes the greater the risk to the environment will be.

7

Introduction

1

Introduction

There is world-wide consensus that the changes in the world’s climate observed in recent years are influenced by increases in the concentrations in the atmosphere of the so-called “greenhouse gases” (whose name derives from their influence on global warming).

Table 1 gives examples of several greenhouse gases and indicates their levels in 1750 and 1998, plus their rate of increase in the 1990’s and the time they remain in the atmosphere.

9

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Before the onset of the industrial age, levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere were more or less constant for thousands of years. Since 1750 the levels of many greenhouse gases have been rising as a direct or indirect consequence of human activities.

Table 1. Main Greenhouse Gases Chemical formula

GHG’s

Preindustrial Concentration

Growth rate over the 1990’s

Concentration in 1998

Residence time in the atmosphere Variable

Carbon Dioxide

278,000 ppbv

CO2

365,000 ppbv

1,500 ppbv/yr

Global Warming Potential (GWP)*

Anthropogenic sources - Burning of fossil

(5-200

- fuels

years)

- I and use change

1

- Production of cement, lime, etc.

- Fossil fuels Methane

CH4

700 ppbv

1745 ppbv

7 ppbv/yr

12

- Rice fields

21**

- Dump sites - Livestock farms N2O

Nitrous Oxide CFC-11

270 ppbv 0

CClF3

316 ppbv

0.8 ppbv/yr

0.268 ppbv

114

-1,4 pptv/yr

45

- Fertilisers

310

- Liquid coolants

6200-7100***

- Foams HFC-23

CFCl3

0

Perfluorome thane

CF4

0.040

Sulphur hexafluoride

SF6

0

0.014 ppbv

0.55 pptv/yr

260

0.080 ppbv

1 pptv/yr

50,000

0.0042 ppbv

0.24 pptv/yr

3,200

- Liquid coolants

1300-1400***

- Aluminium production

6500

- Dielectric fluids

23900

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)

Sources: UNEP/ GRID-Arendal & Climate Change 2001: “The Scientific Basis”

10

According to the third IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased by 31% since 1750. The current level is unsur-

passed in the last 420,000 years, and probably in the last 20 million years. The current growth rate of CO2 has no precedent in at least the last 20,000 years.

Illustration 1. Increases in world atmospheric concentration of CO2 from the onset of the Industrial Revolution, in ppm1.

400

350 340 330

Human disturbance

350

320 310 1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

300

250

200

Atmospheric CO2 (ppmV)

Atmospheric CO2 (ppmV) Concentration (ppm)

360

150 -450

-400

-350

-300

-250

-200

-150

-100

-50

0

50

Introduction

Thousands of years Source: UNEP-GRID-Arendal

1

ppm = parts per million (ppb = parts per billion). This is the ratio of GHG or, in this case, CO2, to the total number of molecules of dry air. Thus, 300 ppm of CO2 means there are 300 molecules of CO2 per million molecules of dry air.

N2O concentration is up by 17% from 1750 levels, and it continues to increase. Such concentrations have not been attained for several thousand years.

Since 1995 the concentration in the atmosphe-

1.1. Climate Change: A Description The earth absorbs radiation from the sun, mainly on its surface. The energy absorbed is redistributed by atmospheric and marine currents and radiated back out to space as infra-red radiation. Over the earth as a whole the incoming solar energy and the energy radiated back into space balance each other out. Any factor which alters how much radiation is received from the sun or radiated back into

Illustration 2. The Greenhouse Effect

re of halocarbonated gases which are both greenhouse gases and ozone-layer destroyers (CFCl2 and CF2Cl2) has been increasing more slowly, and has even dropped in some cases as a result of the regulatory measures passed in the Montreal Protocol. However the levels of the substances which have replaced them in the atmosphere (CHF2Cl and CF3CH2F) are increasing, and these are also greenhouse gases.

space, or which upsets the distribution of energy within the atmosphere or between the atmosphere, the earth and the oceans, can affect the climate.

As a result, increasing levels of GHG’s in the atmosphere can be expected to lessen the efficiency with which the earth’s surface radiates energy back into space, leading to a warming of the lower atmosphere and the surface of the planet.

11

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

The concentration of CH4 in the atmosphere has increased by 151% since 1750 to a level unsurpassed in the last 420,000 years.

Climate change is also highly likely to have a significant effect on the world’s environment. In general, the faster the climate changes, the greater risk there will be of damage to the environment. The characteristics of global warming which are already present at a global level include the following:

- Higher temperatures in the lower atmosphere; - Cloudier skies, with more rain and more water vapour; - Shrinkage of the thickness and the area covered by the polar ice caps and the glaciers of the Arctic; - Warming of the oceans and higher sea levels.

Illustration 3. Main consequences of climate change

12

Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Introduction

1.2. Climate Change: International Agreements Great efforts will be needed to stabilise the levels of GHG’s in the atmosphere. The international community is tackling this challenge through the Convention on Climate Change led by the United Nations. With more than 170 signatories since

its inception in 1992, this convention seeks to achieve the stabilisation of GHG levels in the atmosphere to prevent dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system. With that in mind, the developed countries undertook to individually or jointly restore 1990 levels of carbon dioxide and other GHG’s not controlled under the Montreal Protocol by 2000.

This resulted in the adoption on 11th December 1997 of the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Frame-

work Convention, in which the Parties to the Convention agreed by consensus that industrialised countries had a compulsory duty to reduce the overall levels of their six main greenhouse gases by at least 5%. For the European Union this meant an 8% reduction on 1990 levels for the period from 2008 to 2012 (though Spain was permitted a 15% increase).

In the Basque Environmental Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002-2020, the Basque autonomous Community has established the curtailing of GHG’s as one of its priority goals, to help fulfil the Kyoto protocol.

13

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

In its first period of sessions, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention reached the conclusion that the undertaking given by the developed countries was insufficient to achieve the long-term goal of preventing dangerous anthropogenic interference in the climate system.

Moreover, the Conference agreed to undertake a process intended to take appropriate measures for the period following 2000 through the adoption of a protocol or some other suitable legal instrument.

Methods

2

Methods

The methods used in these estimations must be those accepted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and agreed by the Conference of the Parties in its third period of sessions.

The method adopted by the Basque Country for its inventory of GHG’s is that proposed by the IPCC. The intention at all times has been to obtain valid, comparable data which will be traceable and consistent for future updates, and to establish plans and strategies for action to cut emissions.

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 inventoried are:

1. Energy. This includes all activities related to power transmission, transformation and consumption.

2. Industrial processes. All activities which by dint of their process characteristics are sources of GHG emissions (combustion processes in industry are classed under “Energy Industries”)

15

3. Solvent & other product use. This heading covers basically NMVOC’s (non methanic volatile organic compounds) arising from the use of solvents.

4. Agriculture. Emissions from working the land, raising livestock, etc., excluding combustion processes and waste water treatment.

5. Land use change & forestry. Variations in emissions & absorption in sinks due to changes in land use and in forestry.

6. Waste. Dump sites & waste treatment.

7. Others. All sources not belonging to the above groups.

Before calculations were drawn up, the data available in the BAC were analysed, as were the studies and ratios used in the European Union as a whole and in certain member states, including Spain, France and Austria. The gases which contribute most to the greenhouse effect in Spain and in the EU as a whole are CO2, CH4 and N2O4, in four sectors of activity.

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

On ratifying the Kyoto protocol, each signatory must, within one year before the commencement of the first period of commitment, establish a nation-wide system for estimating anthropogenic emissions by sources and calculating the absorption capabilities of sinks for all GHG’s not controlled under the Montreal Protocol.

Illustration 4. Mean contribution of each GHG to aggregate emissions of GHG’s in the EU and in Spain from 1900 to 2000

EUROPE

N2O 9.1 %

HFC 0.9 %

CH4 9.3 %

SPAIN PFC 0.2 %

SF6 0.2 %

CH4 10.5 %

N2O 8.3 %

CO2 80.3 %

HFC 1.5 %

PFC 0.2 % SF6 0.0 % CO2 79.5 %

Illustration 5. Mean contribution of each IPCC group to aggregate GHG emissions in the EU and Spain (not counting absorption in sinks) from 1990 to 2000

EUROPE

16

Agriculture 9.6 % Use of solvents 0.2 %

Land use change & forestry 0.2 %

SPAIN

Waste 3.3 %

Land use change & forestry Waste 0.0 % 3.7 %

Use of solvents 0.5 % Industrial processes 7.8 %

Industrial processes 7.0 % Energy 79.7 %

Methods

Agriculture 11.8 %

The purpose of the inventory for the BC, whose first results are presented here, is to estimate anthropogenic emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O in the following groups: (1) Energy; (2) Industrial Processes; (4) Agriculture; and (6) Waste. In 2000 these groups accounted between them for 96.8% of aggregate GHG emissions in Spain, and 98.2% in Europe. This first stage of the project has drawn up an inventory of emissions of the main GHG’s in the chief contributing sectors of the BAC. Future updates of the inventory will include the remaining gases and processes/ activities of lesser significance.

Energy 76.2 %

Inventories can be drawn up on the basis of measurements, but emissions were estimated here 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 the emissions which they generate, thus giving a general approximation of what is occurring.

These ratios can be taken as highly accurate for CO2, as they are based on data on the carbon content of fossil fuels. However they are not so accurate for CH4, N2O and other pollutants.

Therefore, specific data on facilities and activities are used wherever they are available.

Results

3

Results

The main results of the study are given below, in line with the goal of inventorying and analysing trends in anthropogenic emissions of the main GHG’s (CO2, CH4 and N2O) produced in the

Basque Country through combustion, agriculture, industrial processes and the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) between 19902 and 20003.

17 Illustration 6. Trends in GHG emissions (CO2, N2O and CH4) produced in the Basque Country (tons of CO2 equivalent) Annual trends in GHG emissions 20.000.000

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

CO2 2 3

1995

1996

1997

CH4

Base year for the undertakings established in the Kyoto Protocol.

The latest year for which the official data required for the inventory are available.

N2O

1998

1999

2000

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Emissions (tons of CO2 equivalent)

18.000.000

Illustration 6 and Table 2 show the trends of emissions in the Basque Country.

3.1. Trends in GHG emissions 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 converted to tons of CO2 equivalent by multiplying the product of their emissions by their global warming potentials of 21 and 310 respectively.

Aggregate GHG emissions from processes as per IPCC groups (1) Energy; (2) Industrial Processes; (4) Agriculture; and (6) Waste in the Basque Country totalled 18,500,000 tons of CO2 equivalent in 2000. This figure is up by 25.3% on emission levels in 1990, the base year for the Kyoto Protocol in regard to emissions of these gases.

In spite of their higher GWP, CH4 and N2O contribute much less to GHG emissions than CO2.

Table 2. Trends in GHG emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) in the Basque Country (in Gg of CO2 equivalent) GHG’s CO2

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

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

18

1990

14.827 15.683 16.432 15.811 15.748 15.758 14.326 13.329 14.986 17.053 18.582

3.1.1. Main sources of GHG emissions in the Basque Country The main sources of CO2 are combustion processes (stationary and mobile) and industrial

processes (manufacture of mineral products & reduction of iron ore: the latter contributed to emissions in the BAC in the last few years of operation of the Altos Hornos de Vizcaya steel mill).

Illustration 7. Distribution of CO2 emissions in the Basque Country

CO2 1990 Mineral products 5.4 % Losses in transformation 5.2 %

Steel making & metallurgy 4.3 %

Results

Combustion 85.1 %

* The foundry industry is not included in this figure.

CO2 2000 Mineral products 5.7 % Losses in transformation 4.5 %

Steel making * & metallurgy 0.0 %

Combustion 89.8 %

The main sources of CH4 in the Basque Country are the dumping of MSW and agriculture, with

enteric fermentation and the anaerobic management of manure as significant contributors.

Illustration 8. Distribution of CH4 emissions in the Basque Country

CH4 1990 Dumps 66.0 %

Agriculture 28.0 %

Enteric frmentation 19.4 %

Stubble burning 0.5 %

Combustion 2.0 %

Losses in transformation 4.0 %

Manure management 8.1 %

CH4 2000 Agriculture 20.1 %

Losses in Transformation 4.1 %

Enteric fermentation 14.2 %

19

Stubble burning 0.5 %

Combustion 1.8 %

The main sources of N2O emissions in the Basque Country are agriculture (mainly fertiliser

Manure management 5.4 %

use on agricultural land) and the chemical industry.

Illustration 9. Distributions of N2O emissions in the Basque Country

N2O 1990 Chemical industry 43.2 %

Combustion 5.7 %

N2O 2000

Manure management 4.8 %

Agricultural land 45.9 % Stubble burning 0.4 %

Chemical industry 46.3 %

Combustion 6.2 %

Manure management 3.4 %

Agricultural land 43.6 % Stubble burning 0.5 %

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Dumps 74.0 %

where clinker production, quicklime production

3.1.2. Trends in CO2 emissions The main source of CO2 is combustion processes. This is followed by industrial activities,

and the reduction of iron ore at Altos Hornos de Vizcaya have all contributed.

Illustration 10. Trends in CO2 emissions by IPCC sectors

Anual trends in CO2 emissions by activity 18.000.000

Metric tons of CO2

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

Energy

1993

1994

1995

Industrial Processes

1996

1997

1998

Agriculture

1999

2000

Waste

20

Table 3. Annual trends in CO2 emissions by activities (Gg CO2) CO2 Energy (IPCC 1) Industrial Processes (IPCC 2) Total

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

11,274 12,011 12,779 12,072 11,873 11,963 10,967 10,030 11,576 13,484 14,925

1,205

1,268

1,083

1,233

1,346

1,201

903

813

808

930

894

12,479 13,280 13,862 13,305 13,219 13,163 11,870 10,843 12,384 14,414 15,819

Trends in overall CO2 emissions are strongly influenced by emissions in IPCC group 1, “Energy�, which covers all stationary and mobile combustion processes, plus losses during the exploitation, transportation and transformation of fuels.

Results

1995

The IPCC method does not take into account CO2 emissions from the biomass. As part of their life cycle, plants fix CO2 from the atmosphere via photosynthesis. When a plant dies

the carbon stored in its organic matter decomposes and releases heat and CO2, which is reabsorbed in the next cycle of plant growth. If this balance is maintained there is no net increase in carbon in the atmosphere, and combustion only accelerates the natural process of decomposition. Unlike the fixed/ released carbon cycle in plant biomass, the burning of fossil fuels releases carbon which had been stored up for centuries, and results in a net increase of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Each sector contributes differently to the overall emissions. In the case of CO2 these differences depend basically on the type and quantity of fuel burned. Thus, CO2 emissions, aggregate

GHG emissions and energy consumption all show minimum levels in 1997, largely as a result of a drop in activity in the steel making and foundry sector.

Illustration 11. Sectoral trends in consumption and CO2 emissions resulting from combustion in the Basque Country (IPCC Group 1.A) Sectoral energy consumption (Basque Country)

Trend in CO2 emissions/ IPCC sector (1990 - 2000)

6000

16.000.000 14.000.000

5000 Consumption (Ktep)

12.000.000 4000 Tm

10.000.000

3000

8.000.000 6.000.000

2000

4.000.000 2.000.000

1000

0 0

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

Transport

Manuf. Industries & construction Other sectors

The contribution of each fuel to CO2 emissions depends on the quantity of fuel used and on its carbon content per unit of energy. That content depends in turn on the type of fuel: for instance

Processing

Manuf. Industries & construction

Transport

Other sectors

21

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 processes, per type of fuel in the Basque Country Consumption per fuel type (1990-2000)

Annual trend in CO2 emissions/ fuel type (1990-2000) 16.000.000

6000

14.000.000

5000

12.000.000 Tm CO 2

Ktep

4000

3000

10.000.000 8.000.000

2000

6.000.000

1000

4.000.000 2.000.000

0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

0 1990

Liquid fuels

Solid fuels

Gaseous fuels

Biomass

Other fuels

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

Liquid fuels

Solid fuels

Gaseous fuels

Other fuels

1998

1999

2000

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Processing

Use of renewable energy sources in the Basque Country is concentrated mainly in the paper making sector, which uses bark and black liquors, and to a lesser extent in the wood industry and the residential sector.

Between 1990 and 2000 petroleum derivatives were the most widely consumed fuels for generating energy, accounting for an average of 57% of total energy consumption. They were followed in order of importance by natural gas (which is being used more and more) and coal.

Coal consumption in 1990 accounted for around 20% (including coal used to make blast furnace gas and battery gas), but by 2000 had dropped to 8% of the total fuel for energy. It is used mainly by coal-fired power plants, cement factories and the steel making and foundry industries, though these latter industries are using it less and less.

22

3.1.3. Trends in CH4 emissions The main source of CH4 emissions is the anaerobic fermentation of organic matter in biological systems. Agricultural processes such as enteric fermentation by animals (the digestive process of ruminants, in which bacteria in the stomach decompose the carbohydrate intake, end emit methane as a by-product) and the decomposition of animal droppings, plus the decomposition of degradable organic matter at MSW dumps all contribute.

Consumption of petroleum derivatives is also linked to transport and electricity generation through power stations and co-generation plants (included under Manufacturing Industries and Construction in the IPCC classification).

Other sources of methane emission in the Basque Country include fugitive emissions during the transportation and distribution of natural gas and the incomplete combustion of fuel (both included in group 1, “Energy�).

Natural gas is used mainly by industry and the tertiary sector (residential and services).

Illustration 13. Trends in CH4 emissions in the Basque Country by IPCC sectors Annual trend in CH4 emissions by activities 120.000

Tons of CH4

100.000 80.000 60.000 40.000 20.000

Results

0 1990

1991

1992 Energy

1993

1994

1995

Industrial Processes

1996

1997

Agriculture

1998 Waste

1999

2000

Table 4. Trends in CH4 emissions (Mg of CH4) by IPCC sectors CH4

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Energy (IPCC 1)

4,797

4,647

4,638

4,314

4,078

4,704

4,727

4,291

4,835

5,300

5,801

Agriculture (IPCC 4) 22,401 22,210 22,438 21,970 21,573 21,908 21,910 20,976 21,002 20,239 19,699 Waste (IPCC 6)

52,759 55,757 62,465 60,586 62,664 63,435 55,680 59,175 64,879 66,625 72,414

Total

79,958 82,614 89,541 86,870 88,316 90,047 82,317 84,442 90,715 92,164 97,914

As can be seen, the biggest contribution to methane emissions is from MSW dumps. Organic matter at dumps is decomposed by bacteria and gives off biogas (sometimes known as “landfill gas”), comprising basically CO2 and CH4. The IPCC method does not count carbon dioxide from decomposition of organic matter at dump sites or from biogas combustion as net emissions. Instead it considers them as originating in a natural process which is the inverse of photosynthesis and therefore does not increase the net carbon content in the atmosphere, as the

CO2 is reabsorbed by plants in the next growth cycle, provided a sustainable balance is maintained.

3.1.4. Trends in N2O emissions

cially as regards emissions arising from the use of synthetic and organic fertilisers), the industrial production of nitric acid and combustion processes, particularly from mobile sources.

The main anthropogenic sources of N2O in the Basque Country are agricultural land (espe-

The contribution of MSW dumps is increasing slightly, even though the biogas plants now operating – Artigás (1992), San Markos (1995) and Sasieta (2000) – have helped bring down emissions by more than 20,000 tons to date.

As indicated above, CO2 emissions from biogas combustion are not counted in the IPCC method.

23

Annual trend in N2O emissions by activities 2.500

Tons of N2O

2.000

1.500

1.000

500

0 1990

1991 Energy

1992

1993

1994

1995

Industrial Processes

1996

1997

1998

Agriculture

1999

2000

Waste

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Illustration 14. Trends in N2O emissions in the Basque Country by IPCC sectors

Table 5. Trends in N2O emissions (Mg of N2O) by IPCC sectors N2O

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Energy (IPCC 1)

123

121

128

130

129

133

118

104

112

133

147

Industrial Processes (IPCC 2)

931

941

951

964

976

989

1,002

1,015

1,027

1,040

1,053

Agriculture (IPCC 4)

1,103

1,093

1,145

1,106

1,069

1,150

1,228

1,182

1,111

1,097

1,079

Total

2,158

2,155

2,223

2,200

2,175

2,272

2,347

2,300

2,250

2,270

2,279

Emissions from agricultural land are the result of nitrification (microbial aerobic oxidation of ammonium to nitrate) and denitrification (anaerobic reduction of nitrate to dinitrogen gas).

Nitrous oxide is an intermediate gas in the reaction sequences of both processes, and leaks off the walls of microbes into the atmosphere. In most agricultural land N2O formation intensifies when the nitrogen available increases, thus also increasing the amount of nitrification and denitrification.

The main industrial source of N2O in the Basque Country lies in secondary reactions during the production of nitric acid.

3.2. Trends in GHG’s in comparison with the base year Annual trends in anthropogenic emissions of GHG’s in the Basque Country (CO2, CH4 and N2O) are as follows, taking 1990 as the base year.

24

Illustration 15. Annual trends in aggregate GHG emissions in the Basque Country in comparison with the base year

Percentage of change in GHG emissions in comparison to base year

30%

25.32%

25% 20%

15.01%

15% 10%

10.82% 5.77%

6.64%

6.21%

6.28%

5%

1.07%

0% -5%

-3.38%

-10%

-10.10%

-15%

Results

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

The biggest contributors to the increase in emissions in the Basque Country from 1990 to

2000 are the following:

Illustration 16. Absolute changes in GHG emissions in the Basque Country in 2000 comparatively to those in 1990.

BASQUE COUNTRY 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 (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)

-750

-250

250

750

1.250

1.750

25

Absolute change in Gg of CO2 equivalent

Sectors in the Basque Country with the greatest variation in emissions from 1990 to 2000 1.A.3.

1.A.1.

1.A.4.

6.A. 1.B.1.

2.A. 2.B. 1.B.1.

1.A.3.

1.A.1.

1.A.2.

4.B. 4.B. 4.A. 1.A.2.

1.B.1.

2.C.

Transport (CO2) Energy Industries (CO2) Other Sectors (CO2) Waste (CH4) Crude oil & natural gas (CO2) Mineral products (CO2) Chemical industry (N2) Crude oil & natural gas (CH4) Transport (N2O) Energy Industries (N2O) Manufacturing industries & construction (N2O) Manure Management (N2O) Manure Management (CH4) Enteric fermentation (CH4) Manufacturing ind. & construction (CO2) Solid fuels (CO2) Metal production (CO2)

Absolute variation Gg (thousands of tons) 1,892 1,330 579 413 386 223 38 18 5 5 -5 -9 -26 -33 -220 -317 -535

Relative variation 70.6% 55.5% 53.1% 37.3% 125.6% 33.3% 13.1% 27.0% 78.4% 71.7% -23.3% -27.2% -18.9% -10.1% -4.9% -94.6% -100.0%

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Table 6. Absolute & relative changes in emissions of key source processes in the Basque Country from 1990 to 2000

Overall GHG emissions in the Basque Country are increasing due to increases in emissions from transport, the service sector and electricity generation. This latter increase is due to increa-

sed demand for electricity in industry and among end consumers in the service and residential sectors.

Illustration 17. Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country, in Spain and in the EU compared to the Kyoto targets for Spain and the EU. 140 133.71%

135 130

125.32%

1990 = 100

125 120 115 110 105 100

96.47%

95 90 85 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Kioto target for EU 15 Path to Kyoto target for Spain Path to Kyoto target for EU

GHG Index for Spain GHG Index for EU 15 GHG Index for Basque Country Kyoto target for Spain

26

3.3. Trends in GHG emissions in comparison with GDP

rative variation between them.

The graph below shows the trend of emissions, that of gross domestic product and the compa-

GDP increased to above 1990 levels in all the years considered.

Illustration 18. Indices of GHG emissions, GDP4 of the Basque Country and ratio of emissions (including imported electricity) to GDP 150 140

1990 = 100

130 120 110 100 90 80 70

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

Index of trend in GDP

Results

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.

1999

2000

The lowest point on the index showing trends in emissions is in 1997. This is due mainly to the closure of the Altos Hornos steel mill, which was a major consumer of fossil fuels and therefore a large-scale emitter. After that year the index rose again due to continuous increases in emissions from services, transport and electricity generation in response to greater demand from end consumers.

Both emissions and GDP have increased since 1996, but the rate of increase is faster for emissions. The increase in GAV (Gross Added Value) in industry from 1996 to 2000 is greater than that in the service sector, but it is the latter that contributes most to the GDP of the Basque Country. However the service sector does not have such a high level of fuel consumption as industry, and as a result emissions are increasing faster than GDP. De-linking from economic growth is observable from 1993 to 1997, when emissions actually

dropped, but the link grows closer again from 1997 to 2000, and the gradient is actually steeper for emissions than for GDP.

3.4. Emissions in the Basque Country compared to other countries Although there are slight variations from year to year, the general picture is that in 2000 fossil fuel consumption accounts for 77% of GHG emissions in the Basque Country, 75% in Spain and 79% in the 15 EU countries as a whole. If CO2 alone is considered, combustion processes account for 90% of all emissions in the Basque Country, 92% in Spain and 94% in the 15 EU countries as a whole.

The cement industry and mineral products are the next biggest industrial sources of CO2 emissions: in the Basque Country they account for 6% of the total, in Spain 7% and in the 15 EU countries 5%.

Illustration 19. Mean distribution of GHG emissions in the EU, Spain and the Basque Country from 1990 to 2000 by IPCC sectors

EUROPE Land use change & forestry 0.2%

SPAIN Agriculture 11.8%

Waste 3.3%

Solvent use 0.2%

Solvent use 0.5%

Industrial processes 7.0%

Industrial processes 7.8%

Energy 79.7%

BASQUE COUNTRY Agriculture 4.6% Waste 7.5% Industrial processes 8.4%

Energy 79.5%

Land use change & forestry 0.0%

Waste 3.7%

Energy 76.2%

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Agriculture 9.6%

27

The bar graph below compares per capita GHG emissions in the Basque Country with those elsewhere, expressed in tons of CO2 equivalent. To make the figures comparable, only emissions of CO2, 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 are given: the first shows the tons of GHG’s produced per capita in the Basque Country, and the second includes not only emissions produced within the Basque Autonomous Community itself but also potential emissions from electricity imports.

Illustration 20. Per capita GHG emissions in 1990 and 1999 (this comparison covers only emissions of CO2, CH4 and N2O and does not take into account absorption in sinks) Per capita GHG emissions in EU countries (1990-1999)

Tons of CO2 equivalent per capita

30 25 20 15 10 5

15 EU

Sp ai n

(in c.

Co el un ec try tri ci ty im po rts )

Ba sq ue

Fr an ce

ria st Au

Sw ed en

co un try

1999

Ba sq ue

1990

Po rtu ga l

Ita ly Lu xe m bo Th ur g e Ne th er la nd s

Ire la nd

G re ec e

G er m an y

Fi nl an d

De nm ar k

Be lg iu m

Un ite d

28

Ki ng do m

0

Source: Own data based on studies submitted by UNFCC countries Note: emissions for both years are divided by the nº of inhabitants in 1996

Results

Per capita emissions in the Basque Country are among the lowest anywhere in the EU, but this is largely due to the fact that although the Basque Country is a major electricity consumer it is far from being able to supply all its own requirements and must therefore import electricity. That imported electricity does not produce emissions at the point of consumption, but does produce them at the point of generation if it is produced using fossil fuels. If electricity imports are taken into account per capita emission levels in the Basque Country (see “Basque

Country inc. electricity imports” on the graph) are similar to those in Germany and Greece for 1999 and to those in France and Greece for 1990.

A comparison of the contribution of emissions from combustion in the Basque country and in Spain reveals that levels are more or less steady from 1990 to 1995, and drop in 1996 with falling fuel consumption, reaching their lowest level in 1997 before beginning to climb again in the following years.

Illustration 21. Contribution of GHG emissions in the Basque Country to emissions in Spain as a whole.

6% 5% 4% 3% 5.2%

5.3%

5.5%

5.4%

5.2%

5.0%

4.6%

2%

4.4%

4.6%

4.8%

4.0%

1997

1998

1999

2000

1% 0%

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

Source: Own data and date for Spain from the study submitted by Spain to the UNFCC5.

3.5. Trends in GHG emissions including imported electricity

transformation involved in the processes generally requires fossil fuels to be consumed, and therefore gives rise to emissions of GHG’s at the point of origin.

Estimates of emissions from combustion processes which occur in the Basque Country do not take into account the combustion involved in generating imported electricity: the energy

The illustration below shows the trends in electricity imports into the Basque Country.

29 Illustration 22. Energy consumption and electricity imports Sectoral energy consumption (Basque Country)

1.200 6000

600

3000

400

2000

200

1000 0 1990

5

0 1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

Transformation Transport

Manufacturing Industries & Construction

Electricity imports in Ktep

Other sectors

2000

GHG emissions in Spain are being compared (CO2, CH4, N2O, PFC’s, HFC’s and SF6), excluding CO2 sink absorption as per Group 5.

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Consumption in Ktep

800 4000

Ktep of imported electricity

1.000 5000

The bar graph in the illustration below shows that maximum levels for transformation coincide practically with the minimum levels of electricity imports. This implies that in those years in which less energy transformation for electricity takes

place, and therefore less fuel is required, emissions in the BAC are lower, electricity imports are higher and therefore emissions at the point of origin outside the BAC are higher.

Illustration 23. Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country taking emissions due to electricity imports into account.

Thousands of tons of CO2 equivalent

25.000

20.000

15.685

15.000 13.923

14.725

14.582 14.614

14.583

13.969

14.004 13.321

12.374

13.396

10.000

5.000 4.724

4.998

5.076

904

958

1990

1991

4.899 4.552

4.592

1.850

1.198

1.165

1992

1993

1994

30 0

1.754

1995

4.338

5.311

3.084

2.896

1999

2000

4.644

4.376

5.134

1.005

955

1.590

1996

1997

1998

Generation of electricity & heat Electricity imports Other activities

Table 7. Emissions occurring in the Basque Country and those associated with electricity imports (Gg of CO2 equivalent) 1990 Total in Basque Country Electricit y imports

Results

Total

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

14,827 15,683 16,432 15,811 15,748 15,758 14,326 13,329 14,986 17,053 18,582

4,998

5,076

4,724

4,552

4,592

4,899

4,376

5,134

4,644

4,338

5,311

19,825 20,759 21,155 20,363 20,340 20,657 18,702 18,464 19,631 21,391 23,893

The data on GHG emission trends in comparison to the base year obtained from the graph

and table above can be summed up as follows:

Illustration 24. Change from base year levels for aggregate direct & indirect GHG emissions (including electricity imports) in the Basque Country in percentage terms 30% 25%

20.52%

20% 15% 10% 5%

4.71%

7.90%

6.71% 2.71%

2.60%

4.20%

0%

-0.98%

-5% -10%

-5.66%

-6.87%

1996

1997

-15%

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1998

1999

2000

3.5.1. Direct & indirect emissions from each sector of activity

bustion processes are included in the activities

To date our sectoral classification has followed the IPCC guidelines. But if emissions from com-

Energy, the effect of each activity on total emis-

where they take place rather than under sions can be seen.

Illustration 25. Direct emissions6 of GHG’s by activities 25.000.000

31

15.000.000

10.000.000

5.000.000

0

1990

6

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

Energy

Transport

Services

Industry

Residential

Agriculture

1998

Direct emissions are those arising from the process carried out on the site where combustion takes place.

1999

Waste

2000

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Tons of CO2 equivalent

20.000.000

Illustration 26. Direct emissions occurring in the Basque Country plus direct and indirect emissions in the Basque Country (including electricity imports)

Direct GHG emissions 25.000.000

Tons of CO2 equivalent

20.000.000 8.2%

15.000.000

6.5%

6.6%

4.7%

8.0% 7.5% 7.5%

8.0%

8.4%

8.5%

7.8%

7.8%

7.3%

4.8%

4.3%

4.6%

6.8%

6.9%

7.4%

9.1% 8.2%

4.2% 4.5%

4.2%

10.000.000

8.2%

18.0%

8.4%

16.5%

17.5%

17.9%

5.0%

5.2%

20.5%

24.7% 8.4%

17.9%

7.4% 9.3%

5.5%

18.2%

5.2% 22.4%

21.6% 23.8%

25.5%

35.5% 39.1%

5.000.000

37.9%

24.3%

34.4%

37.3%

26.8%

40.4%

30.8% 27.2%

32.2% 21.0%

22.5%

26.3%

23.2%

25.8%

23.1%

23.7%

24.2%

1996

1997

29.7%

26.9%

0 1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

Energy

Transport

Services

Industry

Residential

Agriculture

1998

1999

2000

Waste

32 Direct and indirect GHG emissions 25.000.000 6.4% 5.1%

Tons of CO2 equivalent

20.000.000

5.6% 5.6% 3.3%

5.6%

5.3%

6.2%

6.5%

5.3% 3.4%

3.6%

6.1%

6.1%

4.2%

4.1%

4.8%

7.7%

7.3%

7.4%

8.3%

13.9%

6.5%

14.2%

13.9%

13.1%

13.9%

5.8%

5.3% 6.9%

5.6% 6.3%

8.6%

7.5%

15.000.000

6.4%

6.2%

7.9%

6.7%

5.7%

6.5%

6.5%

6.1%

5.3%

8.3%

4.9%

5.4%

8.2%

7.9%

13.9%

19.6%

7.9%

16.7% 16.9%

17.5% 17.6%

10.000.000 47.8% 49.5%

46.8%

47.1%

46.7%

39.8%

46.3%

41.5% 40.7%

39.7%

40.2%

5.000.000

14.5%

15.7%

15.2%

1990

1991

1992

15.5%

15.5%

15.5%

16.5%

16.5%

16.5%

15.6%

15.5%

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Results

0 1993

Energy

Transport

Services

Industry

Residential

Agriculture

Waste

Note: Emissions from the energy sector include emissions from refineries and losses in transportation and distribution of both fossil fuels and electricity.

Direct emissions from the energy sector include emissions of GHG’s during the generation of electricity (thermo-electric plants, co-generation and biogas plants), refineries and fuel transformation. As can be observed, the energy sector has considerably increased its emissions from 1990 levels. But if these emissions produced during electricity generation in the Basque Country and at the point of origin of imported electricity are distributed according to the end consumption of electricity and heat, the trend revealed is different.

As shown in the illustrations below, the increase in emissions from electricity generation is due to increasing demand for electricity from industry, services and the residential sector.

Disaggregating the direct and indirect emissions from those industries which consume most energy in the Basque Country, the overall trend is as per illustration 27 below.

The importance of the steel making and foundry, metal processing, paste and paper, cement, rubber derivatives and glass industries is significant. Between them they account in 2000 for 70% of final energy consumption by industry. The high energy consumption of these five industries and the emissions associated with their production processes (mineral and chemical industries), any variation in their output is reflected in consumption and emissions from industrial processes, and in total emissions in the Basque Country.

Illustration 27. Trends in direct and indirect emissions from industry in the Basque Country Direct GHG emissions 12.000.000

Tons of CO2 equivalent

10.000.000

33 8.000.000 Steel making & foundries Chemical industry

6.000.000

Rubber Cement & lime Machinery & metal products

4.000.000

Construction Glass Paper & card

2.000.000

0 1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Direct and indirect GHG emissions 12.000.000

Tons of CO2 equivalent

10.000.000

8.000.000

Steel making & foundries

6.000.000

Chemical industry Rubber Cement & lime Machinery & metal products

4.000.000

Construction Glass Paper & card

2.000.000

Rest

0 1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

Rest

Conclusions

4

Conclusions

change is not something for the future: it is a fact. Almost all human activities generate GHG’s, so population growth and the current economic system are the two biggest variables in this global problem.

obvious. If measures are not taken its effects will worsen over time and it will be too late to prevent some of its consequences.

3. The

2. The

fight against climate change cannot be put off until its effects are

search for solutions and the taking of action must be worldwide, and must involve all states.

The Kyoto protocol establishes a basis for tackling this challenge properly.

Trends in GHG emissions in the Basque Country, GDP of population, energy consumption and GHG emission per capita in comparison with EU 15 150

Per capita GHG emissions in the Basque Country

12 Per capita GHG emissions in the EU

140 10

Per capita GHG emissions in the Basque Country including electricity imports

130 8

GDP

6

100 4 90

Toneladas pe cápita

1990 = 100

120

110

GHG emissions in the Basque Country

Trends in energy consumption

Trends in population

2 80 GHG emissions including electricity imports

70

0 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

1990

1999

35

GHG emissions including electricity imports by GDP

Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Basque Country (1990 • 2000)

1. Climate

4. The response to climate change should not come exclusively from institutions. Each individual has their personal responsibility, and can help to reduce energy consumption in their home, in transport and in their workplace.

5. In our country one of the five priority goals laid down for the coming years in the Basque Environmental Strategy for Sustainable Development 2002 – 2020 is the curtailing of GHG emissions to help fulfil the Kyoto protocol.

6. Emissions of the main GHG’s generated

in the Basque Country total 18.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This figure is up by 25% on the level for 1990.

(The increase in Spain as a whole is 33.7%).

7. If we take into account that the Basque

Country imports a great deal of electricity which also produces emissions, the sum total of emissions inside and outside the

Conclusions

36

BC attributable to our social and economic activities is 23.9 million tons of CO2 equivalent, an increase of 20.5% on 1990 levels.

8. Bearing in mind total sectoral energy consumption, the biggest increases in emissions over the last 10 years have come in transport, energy transformation, services and domestic consumption.

9. Per

capita GHG generation from the social and economic activities of the BAC is close to the European average level. The figure is down from 1990 levels in terms of CO2 equivalent per unit of GDP.

10. In the face of climate change, the fun-

damental lines for action by the Basque Government must be transport policy, energy generation, energy efficiency (especially in industry) and the fostering of energy saving in all sectors of activity.