Energy and the Environment
CO2-Emissions
CO2-Emissions per Capita of Albania, other CEEC, Austria, and the EU 15, 2007
Albania has ratified the Kyoto Protocol in April 2005. Albania is a Non Annex I country.
[ Enerdata ]
Key issues
• Urban pollution
• Fuel quality standards
• Increasing road transport
Data show that Albania’s air–borne pollutant emissions in 2005 were 32 kt of SO2 and 4.60 Mt of CO2, representing an overall decline of 26% compared to 1990 levels. However, the country’s carbon intensity was 0.96 kg of CO2 per thousand USD of GDP – more than 2,2 times the average for OECD Europe. In purchasing power parity (PPP) terms, it is at 0.31 kg of CO2 per thousand USD (PPP year 2000) or 6% below the OECD Europe average.
Oil accounts for 97% of total CO2 emissions, reflecting a high share (53%) from the transport sector. The remaining CO2 emissions derive from industry (13%), residential (5%) and other sectors (29%). The high share of oil and transport in total emissions, and the relatively low level of CO2 emissions, reflects that almost all power generation derives from hydropower. Even though emissions have declined, air pollution in urban areas has risen significantly, largely due to increased emissions from road transport (old fleet, low fuel quality) and households (inefficient wood stoves).
The ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration (MEFWA) is responsible for environmental policy, regulation and enforcement in co-operation with other relevant ministries. The Environmental Protection Law (adopted in 1993 and revised in 2003) provides the legal basis for its role and functions. Albania is committed to applying EU legislation on pollutant emissions, particularly the EU Directive on large combustion plants to new thermal power plants (by 2017).
Albania signed the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP). It also ratified (October 1994) the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which entered into force in January 1995. Albania finalised and submitted its First National Communication to the UNFCCC in 2002, and is preparing the Second National Communication for the end of 2008. In addition, Albania ratified the Kyoto Protocol in 2004 as a Non-Annex 1 country; it is therefore eligible for CDM projects and has selected the Climate Change Unit at the MEFWA as the Designated National Authority (DNA) for CDM. Initial estimates indicate an annual CDM carbon potential of about 2 Mt CO2 per year (or an investment of EUR 12 to 18 million), primarily on energy efficiency, solar water heaters, small hydropower and biomass. The World Bank is currently supporting a pilot project on carbon finance.
[IEA]
Aggregated GHG Emissions Expressed in CO2 (eqv.) Emissions from Energy and all Other Sectors, '94
Source: First National Communication
CO2 from Fuel Combustion Emissions from All Sectors [2902.94 GG], '94
Source: First National Communication
