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Scottish Greenhouse Gas emissions 2010

17/07/2012

Scotland’s Chief Statistician today published Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2010.

The publication includes key statistics on greenhouse gas emissions. All figures include emissions from international aviation and shipping except where stated. The publication includes adjusted emissions that take into account trading through the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and shows progress against targets.

The main findings are:

• In 2010, Scottish emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases are estimated to be 55.7 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e).  This is 5.8 per cent higher than the 2009 figure of 52.7 MtCO₂e, a 3.1 increase. Between 1990 and 2010, there was a 22.8 per cent reduction in emissions.
• When emissions are adjusted to take into account of trading in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), emissions increased by 1.9 per cent between 2009 and 2010 (from 53.687 MtCO₂e to 54.714 MtCO₂e).  Compared with the 1990 base year, emissions in 2010 (after taking account of trading in the EU ETS) were 24.3 per cent lower.
• The annual target for 2010, as published in the Climate Change (Annual Targets) (Scotland) Order 2010, is 53.652 MtCO₂e.  The target is assessed using the adjusted emissions.

Unadjusted emissions:

• Between 2009 and 2010, there were large increases in greenhouse gas emissions in the energy supply and residential sectors, of 2.2 and 1.1 MtCO₂e respectively (increases of 12 and 15 per cent).  This was primarily due to a rise in fossil fuel heating in the residential sector, combined with an increase in  electricity generation from coal fired power stations. Emissions from the residential and public sectors are affected by changes in weather among other factors. 2010 was, on average, the 10^th coldest in the period since 1910.  In particular, the average temperature for the 6 months January-March and October-December was the coldest since 1919. 
• Net removals from the forestry sector reduced in size from 10.0 MtCO2e to 9.6 MtCO2e (a 4 per cent reduction and 0.4 MtCO2e decrease) between 2009 and 2010. There were increases in emissions of 2 per cent from the business and industrial process sector (0.1 MtCO2e) while the public sector saw a 3 per cent rise (0.03 MtCO2e). International aviation and shipping showed the largest per cent reduction in emissions at 12 per cent (down 0.3 MtCO2e). Net emissions from agriculture and related land use and waste management both decreased by 3 per cent (0.3 MtCO2e and 0.1 MtCO2e respectively), while transport (excluding international aviation and shipping) and development emissions both reduced by 1 per cent (0.1 MtCO2e and 0.01 MtCO2e respectively). 
• Since 1990, emissions from transport (excluding international aviation and shipping) have increased by 0.2 MtCO₂e (2 per cent). Residential emissions also saw an increase of 0.2 MtCO₂e, a 3 per cent increase since 1990  The largest absolute reduction was for the business and industrial process sector at 5.3 MtCO₂e, a 40 per cent reduction.  Other sectors with significant reductions are waste management down 4.4 MtCO₂e (67 per cent reduction), agriculture and related land use down 3.8 MtCO₂e (27 per cent), energy supply down 1.6 MtCO₂e (7 per cent) and public down 0.4 MtCO₂e (29 per cent).  Development emissions decreased by 0.2 MtCO₂e (9 per cent) and emissions from international aviation and shipping decreased by 0.02 MtCO₂e (1 per cent).  Net removals from forestry increased by 1.3 MtCO₂e; 15 per cent more than removed in 1990.
• Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for around 79 per cent of Scottish greenhouse gas emissions in 2010 equating to 43.8 MtCO₂.  This was 7.6 per cent higher than the 2009 figure of 40.7 MtCO₂.  Since 1990, emissions of carbon dioxide have fallen by 18 per cent and emissions of the other greenhouse gases (methane, nitrous oxide and F-gases) have fallen by 37 per cent. 
• Scottish greenhouse gas emissions are reviewed every year, and the whole historical data series is revised to incorporate methodological improvements and new data.  The 2009 figure has been revised up from 51.0 to 52.7 MtCO₂e.  Comparing the 2010 figures with the 2009 figures published a year ago will therefore give a different year-on-year percentage change, but one which is incorrect and should not be used. 

Official Statistics are produced to professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs and are produced free from political interference.

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