Norway's CO2 Emissions Down Slightly In 2005 - Probably Pricing Artifact

[hatrack]

OSLO - Norway's emissions of heat-trapping carbon dioxide (CO2) fell to 54 million tonnes in 2005 from 55 million in 2004 but the dip is unlikely to be the start of a long-term decline, Statistics Norway said on Thursday.

"The reason (for the fall) was a reduction in use of oil for heating, due to high oil prices," it said in a statement. Emissions of greenhouse gases by Norway, which is outside the European Union and not part of the EU carbon trading scheme, were 9 percent above 1990 levels in 2005.

Under the UN's Kyoto Protocol on reining in emissions, Norway has to limit emissions to one percent above 1990 levels by 2008-12.

"Even though the greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 2005, it cannot be assumed that this is the beginning of a declining trend," Statistics Norway said.

EDIT

http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/36320/story.htm

[amandabeech]

1. If we insulated our homes and businesses as well as the Norwegians

and other Scandinavians do, we could cut down on emissions from oil and gas fired boilers, as well as saving on coal and gas used for summer air conditioning. If all buildings were wrapped with something to block wind, had about a foot of that pink stuff in the walls and two feet in the attic (hopefully made in part with recycled glass scrap) and were surrounded by suitable landscaping, we might be able to cut down on heating and cooling-related emissions by at least 1/3.

Also, are the Norwegians experimenting with pumping CO2 into some of their depleted or depleting off-shore wells? Although many people here scorn the sequestration, I think that it might provide some mitigation while we work at the plant presented by the next Democratic president.