Energy and the Environment
Estonia’s main environmental issues are related to energy are air pollution and consequences of oil shale extraction, combustion and deposit of ashes. Further, the extraction of peat from wetlands for use as fuel as well as for export for gardening purposes is threatening wetland habitats. Peat is used for energy purposes as milled peat, sod peat and peat briquettes.
Oil shale may be responsible for as much as 80% of the total harmful emissions in Estonia, when taking into account both its mining and utilization. When oil shale is combusted in a power plant, CO2 is generated not only from the organic carbon, but also from decomposition of the carbonate component of the oil shale as well. The overall carbon emission factor (CEF) for oil shale is about 29 metric tons of carbon per terajoule; without decomposition of the carbonate, the CEF would be about 22 metric tons per terajoule.
[WFB CIA, US DoE FE, EU Commission]
CO2-Emissions per Capita of Estonia, as compared to other countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and the European Union 15, 2007
Estonia has signed (1998), and ratified (2002) the Kyoto Protocol. According to the protocol Estonia committed itself to reduce GHG emissions by 8 % in the period of 2008-2012, compared to the emissions in 1990.
In 2007, the emissions were 53% below their 1990 level. The significant decrease was driven by the decreasing energy demand after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The emissions have remained relatively stable since then.
Air pollution
The air is polluted with sulfur dioxide from oil-shale burning power plants in northeast, contamination of soil and groundwater with petroleum products, chemicals at former Soviet military bases; Estonia has more than 1,400 natural and artificial lakes, the smaller of which in agricultural areas are heavily affected by organic waste; coastal sea water is polluted in many locations. The HBV hydrological transport model has been used to analyze water pollution issues in Estonia's rivers and in the Baltic Sea.
Research on air pollution from 1990 to 2007 show that air pollution emissions have decreased in Estonia. All air pollution emissions have decreased in 2007 compared to 1990. This has mainly resulted from the restructuring of economy and changes in proprietary relations in Estonia since regained independence. Air pollution emissions have also decreased due to stricter requirements in legal acts concerning environment (limit values, requirements on fuel quality etc), which entered into force in Estonia after becoming members of the European Union. Compared to 2003, most air pollution emissions analysed decreased by 2007, except for CO (on the same level) and heavy metals, which have increased by 10%. Majority of pollutants are emitted in Harju and Ida-Viru county, where most of the polluting enterprises are located.
In addition to nitric oxide and sulphur dioxide many hazardous substances like heavy metals, sulphur hydrogen, ammonia, formaldehyde, particulate matter etc. are emitted by industries. Within the EU, limits on atmospheric release and concentration are established for hazardous substances and acidifying gases.
Environment – international agreements:
party to (status 2011): Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ship Pollution, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
