Greenhouse gas emissions for 2006 slightly down on 2005
Bern, 15.04.2008 - Swiss greenhouse gas emissions for 2006 were down by 0.6 million tonnes to a total of 53.2 million tonnes compared to 2005. However, they are still higher than 1990 by 0.4 million tonnes. These are the results of the current greenhouse gas inventory of Switzerland which was communicated to the UNO on 15 April 2008.
As the comparison of greenhouse gas emissions for the years 2006 and 2005 shows, it is primarily emissions from heating fuels that have decreased. This reduction is essentially due to the comparatively mild temperatures of the 2006 winter months. On the other hand, emissions due to transport fuels increased slightly in the year 2006 compared to the previous year, with freight traffic on the roads making a significant contribution. Emissions from waste incineration also increased, due to increased waste imports and the good economic situation in Switzerland which resulted in more domestic waste. (Please see box)
Greenhouse gas inventory as an indicator for the Kyoto Protocol
The greenhouse gas inventory is the most important tool for checking whether Switzerland can achieve its targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions according to the Kyoto Protocol. The target between 2008 and 2012 is to reduce the emission of the most important greenhouse gases by 8% in comparison with 1990. Apart from the changes in emissions, the acquisition of foreign emission certificates and the carbon sequestration of Swiss forests are also taken into account to meet the target. On the basis of the reduction measures taken, a slight drop in effective greenhouse gas emissions for the period up to 2012 is expected. Taking into consideration the carbon sequestration of Swiss forests and the emission certificates acquired, Switzerland will be able to achieve the Kyoto target (c.f. Press release of 8 November 2006: Switzerland is ready for "Kyoto").
The present figures are not directly relevant for compliance with the CO2 Law, which requires a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions from the use of fossil fuels for the period 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990. The relevant figures will be published in the CO2 statistics for the year 2007 which will be available at the end of June. On the basis of these statistics, it will be decided, as prescribed by the CO2 Ordinance, whether further measures are necessary for the additional reduction of CO2 emissions, for example increased taxation of heating fuels.
BOX
The increase in quantities of waste being incinerated in Switzerland also results in an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. A not insignificant amount of this waste is imported from neighbouring countries. This cross-border waste disposal raises questions about the apportionment of the resultant emissions. The Kyoto Protocol has clear regulations here: the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from waste incineration must be allocated to the inventory of the country in which the waste was actually incinerated.
So if waste imported from abroad is incinerated, greenhouse gases accrue on the Swiss emissions balance that actually derive from consumption of goods abroad, whereas the country of origin of the waste lists fewer greenhouse gas emissions on its inventory than it actually generated. Waste incineration in Switzerland is used to generate energy which substitutes fossil fuels. Should more foreign waste be imported and incinerated, the domestic requirement for fossil fuels will decrease as a result, thus allowing a reduction in Swiss emissions.
While the allocation of the emissions from foreign waste or from so-called tank tourism (i.e. where fuel bought at petrol stations in Switzerland is consumed abroad) disadvantages Switzerland slightly, our country also derives benefits from the Kyoto system, and these clearly outweigh the disadvantages. Switzerland profits because it imports many products and the emissions from those have to be registered in the country of manufacture. Switzerland's grey emissions are correspondingly high, but, according to the Kyoto Protocol, they do not have to be accounted for in the Swiss inventory.
Address for enquiries
Paul Filliger, Climate Section FOEN, 031 322 68 58
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
