EU’s emissions continue to fall despite return to coal

(The Guardian, 22 Dec 2022) November statistics show fear EU regressing on climate commitments because of war in Ukraine is unfounded.

Returning to coal-fired power generation in some parts of Europe has not prevented strong progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, data shows.

Emissions for November for the EU were at their lowest in at least 30 years, as were gas consumption, carbon from the power sector, and power generation from fossil fuels, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

This month’s freeze may result in more coal and gas being burned in December, after an unusually mild November. Germany missed its targets on cutting consumption of gas under the cold conditions, the German grid agency said.

But only a small proportion of last month’s drop in fossil fuel use should be attributed to the weather, according to the Centre for Research on Energyand Clean Air analysis. The mild temperatures contributed a 6% reduction in gas demand outside the power sector – mostly for heating – while actual demand fell 26%. Within the power sector, milder temperatures can account for two percentage points of the 12% drop in demand, the analysts found.

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The Guardian, 22 Dec 2022: EU’s emissions continue to fall despite return to coal