EDINBURGH, Scotland, June 7 (UPI) -- The Scottish government announced Friday the level of emissions of six greenhouse gases was down nearly 10 percent from the last year of record.
The Scottish government said overall emissions of six greenhouse gases in 2011, the last year of record, was around 51.3 million tons. That's 9.9 percent lower than 2010 levels.
The government said emissions tied to the energy and residential sector were down 18 percent and 21 percent, respectively. It said energy emissions were lower because coal use was lower while a similar trend was seen in the residential sector because of lower energy use brought on by warmer weather.
Minor decreases in greenhouse gas emissions were observed in the agriculture and transportation sectors.
Scottish laws enacted in 2009 require an average 42 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2020 when compared to a baseline established from 1990 levels.
The European Union as a whole is mulling new renewable energy and emissions targets for 2030. The EU calls for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, when compared to the 1990 baseline.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, said Thursday it was soliciting public opinion on new recycling targets for the 27 member states. Municipal and household waste should be cut by 50 percent, while the construction sector should cut its waste by 70 percent by 2020 when compared to the 1990 baseline.
