Dash for gas helps reverse rising emissions trend in Europe

Brussels (Platts)--15Jul2004

The switch from coal to gas helped trim 0.5% off greenhouse gas emissions in
the European Union in 2002, the European Commission and European Environment
Agency said Thursday. The fall reverses the rising trend of the two previous
years for the first 15 EU members. The other main reasons for the drop
included warmer weather in most EU countries, which reduced demand for space
heating and slower economic growth in manufacturing industries--particularly
the steel industry in Italy and the UK. EU15 emissions of CO2, which makes up
just over four-fifths of all EU greenhouse gas emissions, dropped by 0.3%
between 2001 and 2002. But the EU15 are still a long way from meeting their
Kyoto commitment to emit 8% less greenhouse gas by 2008-2012 than they did in
1990, the EC said. Only four countries--France, Germany, Sweden and the
UK--are on track without using the flexible Kyoto mechanisms which allow
member states to use reductions in other countries to comply with their
national targets.

Copyright © 2004 - Platts

Please visit:  www.platts.com

Their coverage of energy matters is extensive!!.