Environment of Luxembourg

Last updated

The environment of Luxembourg has been affected by the country' rapid population growth (9% between 2000 and 2007, 34% in economy), its heavy road traffic (75% of fuel for vehicles from outside Luxembourg) and its lack of renewable energy resources. [1] [2]

Contents

Air

While emissions of nitrogen and sulfur oxides (NOx and SOx) as well as non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) have been reduced since 2000, limit values for the protection of human health from nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are being exceeded in Luxembourg City, primarily because of road traffic. Concentrations of ground-level ozone are regularly above the pre-alert threshold for the protection of human health at several sites. Sulfur dioxide emissions are however well below the authorised limit. Dioxins and furans (PCDD/F) near steel plants sometimes exceed health standards. [1] In data compiled for 140 countries by the International Energy Agency in October 2010, the 2007 carbon dioxide emissions for Luxembourg at 22.8 metric tons per capita are the highest in Europe and substantially higher than those in the United States. [3]

Action is being taken at the national level to reduce CO2 emissions, to promote better practice in the use of energy and to control leaks of fluorides and GHGs from refrigeration systems. [4]

Water

The Water Management Administration programme of the Ministry of the Interior and Greater Region was created in 2004 for integrated water management. The national nitrogen balance has improved significantly. Despite legal requirements from the mid-1990s, drinking water sources have not been protected with the result that sources have been contaminated by nitrates and pesticides. At least 40% of surface water is likely to fall short of 2015 EU targets for chemical and biological quality. Only 22% of the population is connected to a tertiary-level waste water treatment plant, even though the entire country is classified as a sensitive zone. [1]

Waste management

Luxembourg has an effective waste management plan in accordance with EU legislation. Industrial waste is also effectively managed. Municipal waste production per capita, however, is among the highest in the OECD and the target of 30% reduction in specific disposable waste and bulky waste has been missed. In 2012 municipal solid waste generation per capita was 662 kg. [5] The polluter pays principle is only partially applied. There has been little progress in managing waste from the health sector. [1]

Energy consumption

Luxembourg is almost completely dependent (99% in 2005) on energy imports of oil and of natural gas, the latter increasingly contributing to electricity generation since 2002. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions per capita are the highest in the EU-27. Use of fuel for road transport is around double the EU-27 average. While electricity production from small-scale hydro power has stabilized in recent years, contributions from onshore wind, solar PV, and biogas have now started to increase. [2]

Sustainable development

Despite its growing GDP and population, Luxembourg has made progress in decoupling environmental pressures from economic growth and has developed a National Plan for Sustainable Development. The annual vehicle tax is now calculated as a function of CO2 emissions. A National Plan for Energy Efficiency has been introduced, together with economic incentives targeted at the construction industry. A national body has been created to provide information and advice on energy savings and renewable energy. However, there are still problems in connection with CO2 emissions, especially as Luxembourg's economy is the most carbon-intensive in the OECD in per capita terms even though this is partly due to the sales of fuel to non-residents. [1]

Current status

The 2010 OECD review of Luxembourg's environmental performance highlighted areas requiring special attention. In 2007, GHG emissions were at their 1990 level. Luxembourg's action plan will not be able to achieve the ambitious target (-28% below 1990 levels) set under the Kyoto Protocol and the EU burden-sharing agreement. CO2 emissions per capita are the highest in the OECD, with a significant portion from international road transport. GHG emissions from the steel industry have sharply declined with replacement of blast furnaces by electric arc furnaces while transport emissions have risen with the growing number of crossborder travellers and higher sales of diesel and gasoline as a result of Luxembourg's comparatively low prices. The country is unlikely to meet its NOx emission reduction goals (52% below 1990 by 2010) set under the Gothenburg Protocol to the Convention on Longrange Transboundary Air Pollution. Compliance with international commitments is lagging, particularly with respect to the EU environmental directives. Luxembourg has been cited on several occasions for infractions of European environmental legislation (urban waste water, nitrates, integrated prevention and reduction of pollution). [1]

Related Research Articles

An emission intensity is the emission rate of a given pollutant relative to the intensity of a specific activity, or an industrial production process; for example grams of carbon dioxide released per megajoule of energy produced, or the ratio of greenhouse gas emissions produced to gross domestic product (GDP). Emission intensities are used to derive estimates of air pollutant or greenhouse gas emissions based on the amount of fuel combusted, the number of animals in animal husbandry, on industrial production levels, distances traveled or similar activity data. Emission intensities may also be used to compare the environmental impact of different fuels or activities. In some case the related terms emission factor and carbon intensity are used interchangeably. The jargon used can be different, for different fields/industrial sectors; normally the term "carbon" excludes other pollutants, such as particulate emissions. One commonly used figure is carbon intensity per kilowatt-hour (CIPK), which is used to compare emissions from different sources of electrical power.

Climate change mitigation Actions to limit global warming and its related effects on humanity and the Earth

Climate change mitigation consists of actions to limit global warming and its related effects. This involves reductions in human emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) as well as activities that reduce their concentration in the atmosphere. It is one of the ways to respond to climate change, along with adaptation.

Carbon footprint Environmental impact

A carbon footprint is the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused by an individual, event, organization, service, place or product, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent. Greenhouse gases, including the carbon-containing gases carbon dioxide and methane, can be emitted through the burning of fossil fuels, land clearance and the production and consumption of food, manufactured goods, materials, wood, roads, buildings, transportation and other services. The term was popularized by a $250 million advertising campaign by the oil and gas company BP in an attempt to move public attention away from restricting the activities of fossil fuel companies and onto individual responsibility for solving climate change.

Coal pollution mitigation Series of systems and technologies to mitigate the pollution associated with the burning of coal

Coal pollution mitigation, sometimes called clean coal, is a series of systems and technologies that seek to mitigate the health and environmental impact of coal; in particular air pollution from coal-fired power stations, and from coal burnt by heavy industry.

LO-NOx burner

A LO NOx burner is a type of burner that is typically used in utility boilers to produce steam and electricity.

Greenhouse gas emissions Sources and amounts of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere from human activities

Greenhouse gas emissions from human activities strengthen the greenhouse effect, causing climate change. Most is carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels: coal, oil, and natural gas. The largest polluters include coal in China and large oil and gas companies, many state-owned by OPEC and Russia. Human-caused emissions have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50%.

Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States Climate changing gases from the North American country

The United States produced 6.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2019, the second largest in the world after greenhouse gas emissions by China and among the countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person. In 2019 China is estimated to have emitted 27% of world GhG, followed by the United States with 11%, then India with 6.6%. In total the United States has emitted a quarter of world GHG, more than any other country. Annual emissions are over 15 tonnes per person and, amongst the top eight emitters, is the highest country by greenhouse gas emissions per person. Because coal-fired power stations are gradually shutting down, in the 2010s emissions from electricity generation fell to second place behind transportation which is now the largest single source. In 2019, 29% of the GHG emissions of the United States were from transportation, 25% from electricity, 23% from industry, 13% from commercial and residential buildings and 10% from agriculture. These greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to climate change in the United States as well as worldwide.

The Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) is a comprehensive source of data on the environmental characteristics of almost all electric power generated in the United States. eGRID is issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Energy in Finland Overview of the production, consumption, import and export of energy and electricity in Finland

Energy in Finland describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Finland. Energy policy of Finland describes the politics of Finland related to energy. Electricity sector in Finland is the main article of electricity in Finland.

Environmental effects of shipping

The environmental effects of shipping include air pollution, water pollution, acoustic, and oil pollution. Ships are responsible for more than 18 percent of some air pollutants.

Environmental impact of the petroleum industry

Petroleum has many uses, and the environmental impact of the petroleum industry is correspondingly extensive and expansive. Crude oil and natural gas are primary energy and raw material sources that enable numerous aspects of modern daily life and the world economy. Their supply has grown quickly over the last 150 years to meet the demands of rapidly increasing human population, creativity, and consumerism.

Climate change in Sweden Overview of the impacts of the climate change in Sweden

Climate change in Sweden has received significant public and political attention. Mitigating its effects has been high on the agenda of cabinets of the Governments of Sweden from 1996 through 2021. Sweden aims for an energy supply system with zero net atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In 2014 and 2016, Sweden was ranked #1 in the Global Green Economy Index (GGEI), because the Swedish economy produces relatively low emissions. Sweden's winter temperature is predicted to increase by as much as 7°C (13°F). This will increase the percentage of precipitation that comes from rain instead of snow. The Baltic Sea could see a surface water temperature increase of up to 4°C (7°F). This will decrease sea ice cover by the end of the century.

This article is about the Kyoto Protocol and government action in relation to that treaty.

Electricity sector in Luxembourg

Electricity sector in Luxembourg describes electricity issues in Luxembourg. Luxembourg is a member of OECD and European Union. Luxembourg imports most of its energy. Luxembourg is the EU country with the second smallest forecast of renewables in 2020. Luxembourg has one of the highest emissions of carbon dioxide per person in Europe.

Energy in Luxembourg describes energy and electricity production, consumption and import in Luxembourg. Energy policy of Luxembourg will describe the politics of Luxembourg related to energy in greater detail. Electricity sector in Luxembourg is the main article of electricity in Luxembourg.

Energy in Slovakia Overview of the production, consumption, import and export of energy and electricity in Slovakia

Primary energy use in Slovakia was 194 TWh and 36 TWh per million inhabitants in 2009.

Climate change in Europe Emissions, impacts and responses of Europe related to climate change

Climate change in Europe has resulted in an increase in temperature of 1.9°C (2019) in the EU compared to pre-industrial level. According to international climate experts, global temperature rise should not exceed 2 °C to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change, without Co2 emissions cut that could happen before 2050. Emission reduction means development and implementation of new energy technology solutions. Some people consider that the technology revolution has already started in Europe, since the markets for renewable technology have annually grown.

Climate change in Luxembourg discusses the climate change issues in Luxembourg.

Air pollution in Germany has significantly decreased over the past decade. Air pollution occurs when harmful substances are released into the Earth's atmosphere. These pollutants are released through human activity and natural sources. Germany took interest in reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by switching to renewable energy sources. Renewable energy use rate from 6.3% in 2000 to 34% in 2016. Through the transition to renewable energy sources, some people believe Germany has become the climate change policy leader and renewable energy leader in the European Union (EU) and in the world with ambitious climate change programs, though Germany's CO2 emissions per capita are in fact among the highest in Europe, almost twice those of e.g. France. The current goal of the German government was approved on 14 November 2016 in the German Climate Action Plan 2050, which outlines measures by which Germany can meet its greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. By 2050, Germany wants to reduce their GHGs by 80 to 95% and by 2030 they want to reduce it by 55%, compared to the EU target of 40%.

Climate change in Israel

Climate change in Israel refers to the effects of climate change attributed to man-made increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide in the nation of Israel. The Israeli Ministry of Environmental Protection has reported that climate change "will have a decisive impact on all areas of life, including: water, public health, agriculture, energy, biodiversity, coastal infrastructure, economics, nature, national security, and geostrategy", and will have the greatest effect on vulnerable populations such as the poor, the elderly, and the chronically ill.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Environmental Performance Reviews: Luxembourg (2010)", OECD. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  2. 1 2 "Renewable Energy Policy Review: Luxemburg" Archived 2012-03-11 at the Wayback Machine , EREC. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  3. ↑ International Energy Agency. "CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion - Highlights". Archived from the original on 2009-10-10. Retrieved 2011-02-27.
  4. ↑ "Air/Bruit", Portail de l'Environnement du Grand Duché de Luxembourg. (in French) Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  5. ↑ Waste Atlas (2012) Country Data: LUXEMBOURG
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.