Latest figures show EU carbon emissions down
Thu 08 July 2004
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European Union greenhouse gas emissions fell slightly in 2002 but the countries remain a long way off track to meeting the Kyoto protocol commitment of an 8% cut by 2008-12.
The annual report for the EU-15 showed that greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 0.5 percentage points in 2002 to stand at 2.9% below their 1990 level. Emissions of carbon dioxide fell by 0.3 percentage points, but remained 1.4% higher than in 1990.
Much of the overall cut in EU-15 emissions in 2002 was due to a 3.3 percentage point improvement in the UK, though Germany, another major emitter, also cut emissions significantly. Seven countries saw emissions rise.
The UK and Sweden are the best performers in the EU-15 league table while Portugal and Spain are the worst.
The latest report marks a change from 2000 and 2001 statistics, which both showed greenhouse gas emissions rising.
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