13
jun
2022
The pandemic behind the Basque Countrys 12% record drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2020
The study shows that the Basque Country cut its emissions by 12% with respect to 2019, compared to the 2% drop in that year on 2018. The sharp downturn was due to the restrictions at the most complicated moments of the pandemic. The figures are similar to the ones for the whole of Europe, where there was a decrease of 11% according to the emissions inventory published at the end of May.
It was a record drop and difficult to compare to previous years. Nonetheless, the Basque Countrys emissions have followed a steady and clear downward trend. In 1990 (benchmark year) it emitted 20.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; this figure peaked at 25.3 million in 2005; but from, then onwards, it started to fall, down to 18.6 million in 2019 and then to 16. 5 million in 2020, the lowest figure of the historical series. Emissions have, therefore, shown a drop of 35% on 2005, 21% on 1990 and 12% in just the last year.
The Basque Governments 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was jointly presented by Ihobe, its Environmental Management Agency, and the Basque Energy Board-EVE. They stressed that the evolution of the decarbonisation process in the Basque Country is positive. The effect of the pandemic has clearly conditioned the data, but it should not be forgotten that the GDP shrank by 10% to put it in context, pointed out the EVE and Ihobe general managers.
Both managers stressed the decoupling of the economic and emissions. Between 2005 and 2019, the economy grew by 20% while emissions fell by 27%. In 2020, the emissions generated to produce one GDP unit fell by 40% with respect to 2005 and 55% to 1990. That indicated the degree of decoupling of the Basque economy with respect to the emissions generated.
Thus, the GHG emissions are lower than the path set out to meet the targets in the Basque Climate Change Strategy Klima 2050.
2005 is an important milestone in the Basque Countrys climate policies, as it is the base year for that strategy. The goal was then set for emissions to be cut by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005. The Basque Country has already achieved 35% according to the conclusions of the latest inventory.
As regards diffuse emissions those produced by the sector not regulated by the emissions trading legislation, such as agriculture, waste, residential and transport -, the Basque Country had already improved last year (down 11%) on the binding target set by the European Union for 2020 (10% compared to 2005). In 2020, that number had increased even further with 16% reduction.
The regulated emissions mainly energy sector and energy-intensive sectors dropped 18% on 2019. The Ihobe and EVE general managers stressed that compared to 2005, the first year this system was up and running, emissions have dropped 49%. Furthermore, the emissions intensity in the Basque Country remains under the European average in purchasing parity terms. Our emissions per capita are slightly under the EU-27 average, both in total and diffuse emissions.
As regards 2010, the benchmark year of the IPCC Global Warming of 1.5 ºC special report, the Basque Countrys emissions fell 24% in 2020: We are therefore on the way to achieve the projected reduction to contain global warming at 1.5 ºC. If we look at the 2019 inventory, the Basque Countrys emissions continues on the way to 2 ºC containment, but a great effort was needed to achieve 1.5 ºC and which happened with the drop in 2020, explained Boto Ansola.
The two managers acknowledged that it would be difficult to maintain the rate set in 2020 in subsequent years. However, continuing with this downward trend in emissions is important, because that will allow us to meet the targets. We therefore needed everybodys commitment, of the Administration, of company and of citizens, who are increasingly more aware, said Boto.
In 2020, there was a general drop in the emissions in practically all Basque sectors, except for a slight increase in the agriculture sector, which barely affects the overall results. Transport continues to be the greatest source of emissions of the Basque Country (35%), the majority of which is associated to road transport, according to the 2020 inventory. This figure dropped 11% on the previous year, but there was an increase of 1.8% on 2005, which meant returning to levels of 15 years ago. The Basque Government has pointed out that the emissions are practically double those of 1990 in this sector.
In the case of the energy sector, responsible for 32% of the Basque Countrys emissions in 2020, there was a 13% drop on the previous year, 40% on 2005 and 32% on 1990. Industry is the third sector in terms of generating most emissions, a total of 17% if only direct emissions are considered and 32% if the electricity consumed in the territory is also taken into account. The sector is undergoing a transformation, which can be appreciated by a 16% drop in emissions on the previous year, 48% on 2005 and 61% since 1990, stressed Ansola.
The residential and services sector issues 7% of the greenhouse gases of the Autonomous Community, 17% if the emissions associated to the electricity consumed are taken into account. Due to the nearly total shutdown of the services sector in 2020, direct emissions fell on 2019 by 8%, as the result of the lower consumption of natural gas and oil derivatives in both sectors.
The waste sector also saw its emissions drop in 2020, down 7% while the sector accounts for 5% of the total emissions of the Basque Country. The only sector that increased its emissions in 2020 was agriculture, livestock and fishing up 1% -, even though it only accounted for 3% of emissions and barely impacted the overall result.
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It was a record drop and difficult to compare to previous years. Nonetheless, the Basque Countrys emissions have followed a steady and clear downward trend. In 1990 (benchmark year) it emitted 20.8 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; this figure peaked at 25.3 million in 2005; but from, then onwards, it started to fall, down to 18.6 million in 2019 and then to 16. 5 million in 2020, the lowest figure of the historical series. Emissions have, therefore, shown a drop of 35% on 2005, 21% on 1990 and 12% in just the last year.
The Basque Governments 2020 Greenhouse Gas Inventory was jointly presented by Ihobe, its Environmental Management Agency, and the Basque Energy Board-EVE. They stressed that the evolution of the decarbonisation process in the Basque Country is positive. The effect of the pandemic has clearly conditioned the data, but it should not be forgotten that the GDP shrank by 10% to put it in context, pointed out the EVE and Ihobe general managers.
Both managers stressed the decoupling of the economic and emissions. Between 2005 and 2019, the economy grew by 20% while emissions fell by 27%. In 2020, the emissions generated to produce one GDP unit fell by 40% with respect to 2005 and 55% to 1990. That indicated the degree of decoupling of the Basque economy with respect to the emissions generated.
On the way to the 2050 target
Thus, the GHG emissions are lower than the path set out to meet the targets in the Basque Climate Change Strategy Klima 2050.
2005 is an important milestone in the Basque Countrys climate policies, as it is the base year for that strategy. The goal was then set for emissions to be cut by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005. The Basque Country has already achieved 35% according to the conclusions of the latest inventory.
As regards diffuse emissions those produced by the sector not regulated by the emissions trading legislation, such as agriculture, waste, residential and transport -, the Basque Country had already improved last year (down 11%) on the binding target set by the European Union for 2020 (10% compared to 2005). In 2020, that number had increased even further with 16% reduction.
The regulated emissions mainly energy sector and energy-intensive sectors dropped 18% on 2019. The Ihobe and EVE general managers stressed that compared to 2005, the first year this system was up and running, emissions have dropped 49%. Furthermore, the emissions intensity in the Basque Country remains under the European average in purchasing parity terms. Our emissions per capita are slightly under the EU-27 average, both in total and diffuse emissions.
As regards 2010, the benchmark year of the IPCC Global Warming of 1.5 ºC special report, the Basque Countrys emissions fell 24% in 2020: We are therefore on the way to achieve the projected reduction to contain global warming at 1.5 ºC. If we look at the 2019 inventory, the Basque Countrys emissions continues on the way to 2 ºC containment, but a great effort was needed to achieve 1.5 ºC and which happened with the drop in 2020, explained Boto Ansola.
The two managers acknowledged that it would be difficult to maintain the rate set in 2020 in subsequent years. However, continuing with this downward trend in emissions is important, because that will allow us to meet the targets. We therefore needed everybodys commitment, of the Administration, of company and of citizens, who are increasingly more aware, said Boto.
General drop in all sectors
In 2020, there was a general drop in the emissions in practically all Basque sectors, except for a slight increase in the agriculture sector, which barely affects the overall results. Transport continues to be the greatest source of emissions of the Basque Country (35%), the majority of which is associated to road transport, according to the 2020 inventory. This figure dropped 11% on the previous year, but there was an increase of 1.8% on 2005, which meant returning to levels of 15 years ago. The Basque Government has pointed out that the emissions are practically double those of 1990 in this sector.
In the case of the energy sector, responsible for 32% of the Basque Countrys emissions in 2020, there was a 13% drop on the previous year, 40% on 2005 and 32% on 1990. Industry is the third sector in terms of generating most emissions, a total of 17% if only direct emissions are considered and 32% if the electricity consumed in the territory is also taken into account. The sector is undergoing a transformation, which can be appreciated by a 16% drop in emissions on the previous year, 48% on 2005 and 61% since 1990, stressed Ansola.
The residential and services sector issues 7% of the greenhouse gases of the Autonomous Community, 17% if the emissions associated to the electricity consumed are taken into account. Due to the nearly total shutdown of the services sector in 2020, direct emissions fell on 2019 by 8%, as the result of the lower consumption of natural gas and oil derivatives in both sectors.
The waste sector also saw its emissions drop in 2020, down 7% while the sector accounts for 5% of the total emissions of the Basque Country. The only sector that increased its emissions in 2020 was agriculture, livestock and fishing up 1% -, even though it only accounted for 3% of emissions and barely impacted the overall result.
Fuente: Ihobe
