Greenhouse gas balance – Austria’s emissions fell to a record low in 2022

The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has taken stock: greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022 amounted to 72.8 million tons of CO2 equivalent – ​​​​a decrease of about 4.5 million tons compared to 2021. In the so-called nowcast, which was published by the UBA was published in August of the previous year, the forecast was still a minus of 6.4 percent.

Decline despite economic growth
Despite significant economic growth, emissions fell in almost all areas (see chart below). As with the Nowcast forecast, preliminary data shows the lowest emissions readings have been reached since surveys began in 1990, the Federal Environment Agency said on Tuesday.

Causes: High energy prices, inflation
The authority sees the reasons for this, among other things, in the fact that after the increase in 2021, 2022 was characterized by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine that started in February, the associated disruptions in energy prices and the significant increase in energy prices. inflation percentage. Gross domestic product increased by about 4.8 percent compared to 2021 and the population grew by 1.1 percent. Due to the warm weather in 2022, the number of degree days decreased by 12.8 percent compared to the previous year, which is slightly below the long-term trend.

From the perspective of Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), the balance sheet of the Federal Environment Agency is positive. It shows “that for the first time, greenhouse gas emissions are falling not only in the forecast, but also in reality,” so “climate protection efforts” would have a positive impact. Climate ticket, green energy expansion, renovation offensive, industry transformation and climate bonus were mentioned as measures responsible for this. It is important to continue the course of climate protection, Gewessler continued, because the goal has not yet been achieved.

Many people changed their heating method
In terms of individual segments, there has been a reduction in emissions in the transport, buildings, agriculture and waste management sectors compared to 2021. According to the information, emissions in the transport sector fell by 4.6 percent. In the construction sector, emissions fell by approximately 17 percent. The reasons for this were the low number of heating degree days, price developments on the energy market and the strong increase in conversions to climate-friendly heating systems. However, in the energy and industry sector (excluding the area of ​​emissions trading), greenhouse gas emissions increased by 3.6 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year, in 2021.

In total, there is a reduction of approximately five percent or approximately 2.4 million tons for emissions outside the European emissions trading (non-ETS area). The target value in the non-ETS area (47.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent for 2022) was therefore 1.2 million tons below the target value.

For energy and industrial companies involved in emissions trading, the current greenhouse gas balance for 2022 shows a significant reduction of approximately 7.2 percent (2.1 million tons of CO2 equivalent) – this is due to lower steel production and several months of operational downtime as a reduction factor is called the oil refinery.

Austria still has a lot to do
Finally, the Federal Environment Agency pointed out that Austria must reduce its emissions by 48 percent by 2030 compared to 2005 to avoid fines amounting to billions. The environmental organization Global 2000 therefore called on the government on Tuesday to work on achieving its climate goals until the last minute before the elections. Because the climate balance is a ‘tremble event’ every year. You cannot always count on a warm winter and high energy prices, which will reduce emissions this time.