Lower CO2 emissions in third quarter of 2019

It was slightly less warm in Q3 2019 than in the same quarter of 2018. Adjusted for this weather effect, CO₂ emissions were 4.9 percent lower than one year previously.

Lower CO₂ emissions by energy companies

In Q3 2019, CO₂ emissions by energy, water and waste management companies were down by nearly 13 percent year-on-year. These companies accounted for nearly 29 percent of total CO₂ emissions. Electricity companies used less coal and more natural gas in their production process. Combustion of natural gas results in lower CO₂ emissions than coal combustion. Furthermore, more electricity was generated from renewable energy sources than one year previously. Electricity production and the value added by the electricity companies were slightly higher than in Q3 2018.

CO₂ emissions down in agriculture and manufacturing

In Q3 2019, emissions of CO₂ in the cluster agriculture, mining, manufacturing industry and construction were over 5 percent down on one year previously. This cluster was responsible for over 26 percent of total emissions in the that quarter. The petroleum industry emitted more CO₂ while emissions by the chemical industry and the metal industry were lower than one year previously.

Higher CO₂ emissions by households and services sector

CO₂ emissions by households were nearly 3 percent higher than one year previously. More natural gas was used for heating of homes and motor fuel consumption was up as well. In Q3 2019, households occupied a share in total CO₂ emissions exceeding 17 percent. CO₂ emissions by the services sector were up by over 3 percent year-on-year. The share of the services sector in total emissions stood at nearly 11 percent.

Transport sector emits more CO₂

CO₂ emissions by the transport sector were up by nearly 2 percent year-on-year in Q3 2019. This sector accounted for over 17 percent of total emissions. Emissions by the aviation sector, road haulage and inland shipping increased, while maritime shipping emissions decreased.