AEA helps European Environment Agency track EU greenhouse gas targets

Since this article was published, AEA Technology plc’s business, operating assets and employees were acquired on the 8 November 2012 by Ricardo plc and transferred to a new subsidiary, Ricardo-AEA Ltd. All employees were transferred to Ricardo-AEA Ltd as part of the acquisition and remain available for the execution of all projects via the new company, as are the entire capability and resources previously represented by AEA Technology plc. All individuals remained at previous locations with all offices being retained.

AEA Technology plc helped the European Environment Agency (EEA) monitor European Union (EU) progress against its Kyoto Protocol and 2020 targets in the latest analysis of greenhouse gas (GHG) trends published last month.

AEA worked with the Austrian Federal Environment Agency and EMISIA SA to compile the GHG projections data submitted by EU Member States under the EU Monitoring Mechanism. This data was used to assess greenhouse gas emissions against both the Kyoto Protocol targets and the Union’s unilateral commitment to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.

“The data is updated biennially,” explains AEA consultant Shoko Okamura. “We were responsible for developing and performing a Quality Assurance check to ensure the projections are internally consistent, complete and show a realistic portrayal of GHG emission levels in the EU in 2020.”

The findings feature in a report entitled ‘Greenhouse gas emission trends and projections in Europe 2011 - Tracking progress towards Kyoto and 2020 targets’

The EU remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite a 2.4 % emissions increase in 2010, according to the EEA estimates. The 2010 increase follows a 7 % drop in 2009, largely due to the economic recession and growth of renewable energy generation.

Looking ahead to 2020, the analysis finds that EU Member States will be just short of meeting their target of reducing emissions by 20% compared to 1990 when measures that have already been implemented are taken into account. When the impact of planned measures are factored in, GHG emissions are expected to be around 25% below 1990 levels, short of the 30% target which the EU has committed to if other major emitting countries set similarly challenging targets.

The data worked on by AEA was also used by the European Commission for its annual report on EU greenhouse gas emissions showing progress against targets also published this month.

For more information please visit:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-estimated

http://ec.europa.eu/clima/news/articles/news_2011100701_en.htm

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