In 2010, the European Union recorded an increase in greenhouse gas emissions of +2,4% compared to the previous year. In 2009, on the other hand, there was a drop of 7% determined above all by the economic recession and the growth in production from renewables. This is what emerges from the first estimates made by the European Environment Agency (EEA).
The increase in 2010 derives essentially from a greater need for heating generated by a more rigid winter. However, the transition from coal to natural gas and the growth in the production of renewable energy have made it possible to contain the increase in emissions. In the EU15 the decrease was 10,7% compared to the base year levels (in almost all countries it is 1990), well below the collective reduction target set at 8% for the period between 2008 and 2012.
The countries that fall furthest behind are Luxembourg, Austria and Italy. In our country in 2010 emissions were lower than in 1990 by 25,6 tons of CO2eq, ie equal to about -4,8%. The average for the 2008-2010 period is 1,6% lower than the reference year, i.e. above the -6,5% target set for the period between 2008 and 2012.
