Norway gives mixed report on greenhouse gas emissions

OSLO, Norway, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Though greenhouse gas emissions have been relatively stable since 2010, total emissions are still above 1990 levels, the Norwegian government said.

One week after a breakthrough agreement on climate issues was reached in Paris, the Norwegian government said total greenhouse gas emissions last year declined by 0.8 percent, but are still 2.4 percent higher than 1990, a year used as a benchmark for many emission reduction goals.

European leaders in October 2014 agreed to improve energy efficiency by 27 percent, expand the use of renewable energy by 27 percent and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40 percent, all based on a 1990-level benchmark, by 2030.

Statistics Norway said lower emissions from offshore, manufacturing and motorized equipment industries made the largest contribution to the decrease in emissions from 2013. Emissions of fluorinated gases increased from zero in 1990 to 2.2 percent last year because of a substantial increase of the use of air conditioning, notable in commercial vehicles.

The World Meteorological Organization expects 2015 will be the warmest year on record. The five-year period ending this year is already the warmest period ever recorded.

The agreement signed by 195 national leaders in Paris called for all parties to make strides to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level necessary to curb global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius by the end of the century.

Carbon dioxide accounted for more than 80 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions from Norway in 2014. That's compared with 68.8 percent in 1990. Since 2007, oil and gas has been a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, rising 6.1 percent from last year. Road traffic emissions have increased 31 percent since 1990, the Norwegian government said.

Overall, however, Statistics Norway said the general trend has been improving for emissions.

"Since 2010, the CO2 share has been stable," the government said. "The total greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced every year from 2010, by approximately 4 percent overall."