Europe is cleaner by recession

Greenhouse gas emissions in Europe decreased in 2008 due to the economic recession, the environmental watchdog said.

According to the official announcement on the European Environment Agency (EEA) website, the emissions generated by the 27 EU countries fell 1.5% last year. Meanwhile the emissions of the first 15 EU member states fell by 1.3% over the same period. This trend has been going on for 4 consecutive years.

" The rate of emissions in the atmosphere falls in 2008 due to the amount of CO2 emitted from the burning of fossil fuels in the energy, industry and transportation sectors. It reflects the impacts. of the global economic crisis toward the environment , 'AFP news agency reported.

(Artwork: Scientificamerican.com)

When the EU signed the Kyoto Protocol, there were only 15 member states. The EU-15 commits that the emissions they generate during 2008-2012 will be 8% less than the level of 1990 (equivalent to 4,265.5 million tons of CO2). But according to EEA calculations, the whole block has reduced more than 10%.

Dimas said the EEA report is a meaningful message that Europe sends to the rest of the world in the context of the international climate change conference that will take place in Copenhagen this December.