GHG emissions in the world.
To better assess the efforts undertaken by the European Union which aim to reduce GHG emissions, we will look at the share of the EU in the total global emissions of those gases.
The European Union (27) emits 5 177 million tonnes of CO2 eq. (2005 data) which represents 18% of global GHG emissions. With this contribution to global emissions the EU takes some responsibility for the climate change problem. As a consequence the EU is taking a lead in the world climate policy initiatives and makes immense efforts aimed at reducing its own GHG emissions. Since 1990 the EU has shown a declining tendency of GHG emissions in its own territory: to the year 2005 the 8% emission reduction has been achieved overall in the EU-27. Poland has reduced its emissions by around 32% over that period of time. Poland has reached this due to the economic transformation of the country along with significant energy efficiency improvement.
The United States of America is responsible for 25% of global GHG emissions, means 7 242 million tonnes of CO2 eq. (2005 data). Although the country has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol, it is undertaking many initiatives to reduce GHG emissions. Despite these efforts the USA’s emissions have risen by over 16% since 1990.
Some developing countries are also big emitters. Rapidly developing economies like China and India may soon overtake the role of the traditional emitters. How fast the climate will change depends also on whether or not those countries will join the world efforts to reduce GHG emissions.
Polish