Norwegian follow-up of recommendations in ministerial declarations

75 Document 3:3 2014–2015 Report During the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol in 2012, the parties agreed to start work on reducing emissions of particulates and soot simultaneously. 154 The EU has included the obligations of the Gothenburg Protocol in its environmental regulations the Ceiling Directive, which are incorporated into the EEA Agreement 155 and thus also binding for Norway. National emissions figures for short-lived climate forcers Figure 3 shows emissions of short-lived climate forcers in Norway compared with Norway’s obligations in the Gothenburg Protocol. The sources of emissions vary based on the type of pollutant, but industry, aviation, shipping and road traic are important sources. Figure 3 Emissions of ammonia, nitrogen oxides, particulates, NMVOCs and sulphur dioxide Index 1990 = 100 Sulphur dioxideSO 2 Nitrogen oxides NOx Ammonia NH 3 NMVOC ParticulatesPM 2,5 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2012 Mål 2020 Source: Statistics Norway The Norwegian Environment Agency pointed out that reducing soot is the most important in terms of the climate. Particulates PM 2.5 , of which soot is a subset are included in the revised protocol. Countries are encouraged to reduce particulate emis- sions from sources where it also reduces emissions of soot. While there are no statistics on Norwegian emissions of soot, Statistics Norway has made a calculation of emission levels and emission development. 156 The analysis shows that soot emissions in 2011 amounted to about 5,100 tonnes. This was the same level as in 1990. According to Statistics Norway, there have been considerable changes in emissions from the various sources in the period 1990–2011. For example, emissions from road traic have been cut by more than half, emissions from manu- facturing and mining have declined by 40 per cent, while emissions from oil and gas production have increased by 35 per cent. 157 154 Ministry of the Environment 2012 Nye tiltak for betre luftkvalitet. New measures for better air quality. Press release dated 8 May 2012. 155 Directive 200181EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2001 on national emission ceilings for certain atmospheric pollutants. http:europalov.norettsakttakdirektivet­nasjonale­utslippstak­for­visse­forurensende­stoffer­til­ luftid­491. 156 Statistics Norway 2013 Emissions of black carbon and organic carbon in Norway 1990–2011. Documents 201313. 157 Statistics Norway 2013 Uendret nivå på utslipp av svart og organisk karbon. Unchanged level of emissions of black and organic carbon. Article. Published on 12 April 2013. 76 Document 3:3 2014–2015 Report Wood burning accounts for a signiicant share of Norwegian emissions of soot, almost one quarter. Other major sources are motorised equipment 24 per cent, road trans- port 15 per cent, shipping 18 per cent and oil industry 12 per cent. The Norwegian Environment Agency pointed out that the Arctic Council has helped strengthen Norwegian public administration in this ield. The task force for the short- lived climate forcers has urged member states to put in place an accounting system for emissions of short-lived climate forcers. Norway was put under some pressure as several of the other Arctic countries Canada, USA, Denmark and Finland already had such accounting systems in place . 158 The Norwegian Environment Agency referred to the Arctic Council’s report, 159 which shows that Norwegian soot emissions are in line with emissions in the other Nordic countries. The Agency also emphasised that measured per person, Norwegian emis- sions mirror the global average. However, Norway’s proximity to the High North makes it especially important to reduce soot emissions afecting the Arctic. 160 The Norwegian Environment Agency has carried out a project on soot and other short-lived climate forcers with a number of collaborating institutions. A proposed action plan for emissions of short-lived climate forcers was submitted on 6 December 2013. The goal is that the recommended measures and instruments will provide efec- tive emission reductions of short-lived climate forcers by 2030. 161 Wood burning is a major source of soot emissions in the Arctic, and Norway leads a climate project under the ACAP Working Group relating to reducing emissions of soot from burning wood. All of the Arctic countries except Iceland and Russia are participating in the project. The project will present recommendations on measures to reduce emissions of soot from burning wood in the Arctic countries. The project’s irst phase is expected to be completed in 2014. 162 Norwegian emissions of nitrogen oxides NO x have fallen since 2000, and if the decline continues at the same pace, Norway will meet its international obligations in 2014. 163 Emissions of sulphur dioxide have declined sharply since 1990, and in 2006 Norway met its commitments in the Gothenburg Protocol. Norwegian emissions of volatile organic compounds without methane NMVOCs are approaching the Gothenburg Protocol’s 2020 targets. Since 2008, emissions of ammonia have seen a slight down- ward trend, and in 2012 Norwegian emissions were 17 per cent above obligations. 158 The Norwegian Environment Agency 2013 Forslag til handlingsplan for norske utslipp av kortlevde klimadrivere Proposed action plan for Norwegian emissions of short­lived climate forcers preliminary report, M892013, and interview with the Norwegian Environment Agency on 13 June 2013. 159 AMAP 2011 The Impact of Black Carbon on Arctic Climate. AMAP Technical Report No. 4 2011. 160 Norwegian Environment Agency 2013 Første steg mot sottiltak. A irst step towards soot reduction measures Article. Published on 12 April 2013. 161 Norwegian Environment Agency 2013 Første steg mot sottiltak. A irst step towards soot reduction measures Article. Published on 12 April 2013. 162 Interview with the Norwegian Environment Agency on 13 June 2013. 163 Statistics Norway 2014 Emissions of acidifying gases and ozone precursors, 1990–2012, final figures. Statistics published on 29 January 2014.