Greenhouse gas emissions by sector

Background information

Greenhouse gases partially reflect the heat radiation emitted by the Earth and, through this “greenhouse effect“, contribute to the warming of the atmosphere, the Earth‘s surface and the oceans. Carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is produced by the combustion of fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal, petrol, diesel) and industrial processes, is the main contributor to global warming. Direct emissions of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O), mainly from agriculture, also contribute to the greenhouse effect.

Description of the results

Emissions from the use of fossil fuels account for about 80% of South Tyrol‘s total direct emissions. Historically, these emissions have been lower in South Tyrol than the European and Italian averages. The main reasons for this are the low presence of heavy industry in South Tyrol, the absence of large thermal fossil (gas or coal) power plants for electricity production (with significant production of renewable electricity, especially from hydropower), and the high use of biomass for heating buildings, both in district and individual heating systems. Emissions in South Tyrol will decrease by only 7% between 2010 and 2019. The largest reduction of around 26% was achieved by changes in the heating sector. Savings in the transport and agriculture sectors were only around 1%, while emissions from industry have increased since 2010 (1).

Method

Every two to four years, South Tyrol produces an inventory of pollutant emissions, including greenhouse gases, using the INEMAR (INventario EMissioni ARia) system. This system takes into account emissions that occur within South Tyrol, such as the total emissions from the combustion of diesel and petrol by cars or lorries travelling in or through South Tyrol. Emissions from the extraction of raw materials and the production of, for example, cars or electrical appliances and other imported goods outside South Tyrol are not taken into account. These emissions are called “grey and consumption-related emissions“. However, in order to calculate South Tyrol ‘s total greenhouse gas emissions, not only the domestic ones, but also the emissions generated outside South Tyrol would have to be included.

If these emissions are not drastically reduced by 2030, global warming will continue, leading to irreversible loss of the most fragile ecosystems and crises for vulnerable people and societies (2). In the European Green Deal, the Member States of the European Union have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and to be climate neutral by 2050.

Comparison with Italy and Europe

About 5 tonnes of carbon dioxide per capita were emitted in South Tyrol in 2019 (3). This calculation only includes emissions from the purchase of fossil fuels in the province. The Italian average is higher at 7.2 tonnes per capita (4). The lower CO₂ emissions in South Tyrol are mainly due to the fact that electricity is mainly produced by hydroelectric power, which generates hardly any emissions. In South Tyrol, industry plays a smaller role than in the rest of Italy as a whole (4), and in the heating sector, South Tyrol relies much more on biomass (thus saving oil and gas) (5). The EU average is slightly higher at 8.2 tonnes per capita (6).

References

1) Sparber et al. 2022: Auf dem Weg in Richtung Klimaneutralität: Szenarien für Südtirol Ergänzende wissenschaftliche Analysen zum Klimaplan – Update 2022

2) IPCC, 2018: Global Warming of 1.5°C.

3) ASTAT, 2019: Demografische Daten.

4) Zebisch et al. 2018: Klimareport

5) Sparber et al. 2020: Studio decarbonizzazione riscaldamento in Alto Adige

6) Eurostat 2021: Treibhausgasemissionen pro Kopf.   

Contact

Eurac Research: Wolfram Sparber, Roberto Vaccaro, Institute for Renewable Energy

Data provided by: Autonomous Province of Bolzano Landesagentur für Umwelt und Klimaschutz