Posted by Jonathan Adler:
U.S. Carbon Emissions Drop, Europe's Increase:
http://volokh.com/archives/archive_2007_05_20-2007_05_26.shtml#1180009736
Despite American inaction on climate change, emissions dropped in
2006. The AP [1]reports:
The department's Energy Information Administration said Wednesday
that preliminary data shows a 1.3 percent decline in the amount of
heat-trapping carbon dioxide released in 2006 from energy-related
sources, the first decline in 11 years and the biggest decline
since 1990. . . .
Whether the decline of 78 million metric tons was an anomaly, or an
indicator of something more, was unclear.
The Energy Department report said one reason for the decline was
that 2006 had "weather conditions favorable for emission
reductions." . . .
In 2006 there was a mild winter that reduced heating degree days by
7.4 percent, and a cooler than normal summer that cut
cooling-degree days by 1 percent, both compared to 2005, the agency
said. . . .
Carbon dioxide from natural gas declined by 1.7 percent and coal
_which accounts for the most carbon emissions per unit of energy
produced of any fossil fuel � was down 0.9 percent. Emissions from
burning gasoline and diesel increased, but those increases were
offset by declines in other petroleum fuels such as heating oil,
said the agency.
The reductions resulted in the largest decline in carbon intensity
� the amount of emissions related to economic growth � since 1990
with a reduction of 4.5 percent, said the report.
Meanwhile, carbon dioxide emissions increased in the E.U., in part
because European governments allocated excess emission credits due to
industry pressure. The Guardian reports:
In 2006, industry emitted about 30m tonnes less than permitted.
German emissions rose 0.6% while overall EU emissions went up by
1%-1.5% because of resumed growth in the eurozone.
EU officials claim their efforts will become more successful as they
clamp down on the volume of emission permits.
References
1. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070523/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/carbon_drop_1
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