The use of coal triggered_CO2 emissions in the EU with the first tensions with Russia in 2021 months before the start of the war

The rise in gas prices that began to be noticed before the invasion explains the increase along with the end of COVID.

Without additional measures, Spain is close to average in non-compliance with objectives.

CO2 emissions in the _{EU increased by 4.8% in 2021 compared to 2020 but remained below the pre-pandemic level.}

The EU increased its_CO2 emissions into the atmosphere in 2021, due to the economic recovery that came after the first and worst year of the COVID pandemic, but also due to the first blows of the current energy crisis. According to a report by the European Commission ahead of the Climate Summit to be held next month in Egypt, the beginning of tensions with Russia and the rise in gas prices that began to be detected months before Ukraine attacked led to an increase in coal consumption and, With this, an increase in emissions.

Although the figures may pale with gas prices throughout this 2022, the increase in 2021 in what the EU considers a hybrid war by Moscow, through energy, already affected an increase in the use of coal and CO emissions₂, which led to far exceed those of 2020 but without reaching the levels of 2019, as Brussels insistently underlines in its document.

Thus, in 2021, the average price of gas in the EU was 49 euros / MWh, with peaks of up to 183 euros -last August they exceeded 200 euros-, figures very similar to the 3 or 4 euros per MWh from which the gas was purchased in May 2020, when in Spain the population was still confined, For example.

“Several coinciding events led to a price increase, including the cold at the beginning of the year, below-average European reserves, little wind and solar energy in summer and growing geopolitical tensions at the borders of the EU,” says the Commission on the relationship between the war in Ukraine, in increasing gas prices and the increase in CO emissions.₂ to the atmosphere.

“The high price of gas caused the switch to coal and lignite in the EU electricity system, with coal and lignite plants increasing operating hours instead of gas plants,” resulting in CO emissions₂ of the electricity system will grow in 2021 with respect to 2021 levels.” They were 8.3% more than the previous year, but below the levels of 2019, says the Commission, which notes that in 2022 the “abnormally high gas prices persist”, although at the moment it affirms that “the market does not anticipate” that this year the emission levels of 2019 will be exceeded. “The unprecedented increase in gas prices since the second half of the year had a clear impact on emissions from electricity generation from a temporary shift from gas to coal,” he says at another point.

Broadcasting rights

The EU’s Climate Action Progress Report stresses that while emissions increased in 2021 compared to 2020, they remained below 2019, the pre-pandemic year. Overall, they were 4.8% higher in 2021 than in 2020, but 4% less than in 2019. These figures exclude emissions from air transport – 26.8 million tons of_CO2, 8.7% more than in 2020 – or from maritime transport.

As for the trading of_CO2 emission rights by industry. Here, emissions in 2021 grew by 6.6% compared to 2020 and were 5.6% below 2019. The electricity sector saw an 8.4% increase last year, again, as the switch from gas to coal due to higher prices and higher demand for electricity.

This increase in_CO2 emissions is also reflected in what European governments earned from trading rights. In 2021 they doubled compared to 2020, 31,000 million euros compared to 16,500. Of this amount, 25,000 million were distributed, which the Commission recognizes that most of it – 76% – was used in the field of climate change and energy. In the same way, it exposes other sources of resources to fight against climate change, such as the Next Generation Fund or the Repower EU, the plan that in July raised the efficiency and renewable objectives and that contemplates another 210 million.

However, the Commission warns that EU countries need to take more action to meet the committed targets for 2030. According to the report, with the current measures, EU countries will be able to reduce emissions by 22% by 2030 compared to 2005, a figure that is “well below” the committed target, 29%, and when the ambition is to rise to 55%.

If they deliver on what they have promised, they will at most achieve a 29% reduction, so the Commission is calling for “additional measures”. For example, if Spain did not take them and continue with the current and already committed ones, it would have a deficit of 8% to achieve the target of 29% – the EU average for that scenario is a deficit of 6%. If it introduced more measures, it would exceed it by 12% – well above the European average of 1%.

Source: 20 minutes