According to the Public Emissions Monitor of Catalonia, a tool created by experts and based on public data, it has been estimated that greenhouse gas emissions in Catalonia had an increase of more than 3% during 2022.
This data is worrying as it comes after a reduction in emissions in 2020, due to the confinement caused by the covid-19 pandemic, followed by a 2% increase in 2021 and more than 3% last year.
The Public Emissions Monitor of Catalonia has become a key tool for estimating emissions in the absence of more recent official data.
This tool uses public data on energy consumption, industrial activity and economic indicators, among others, to make its calculation.
Data over the last few years
According to official statistics for 2019, broken down by sector, approximately 30% of emissions in Catalonia come from transport, 17% from manufacturing industries and construction.
15% from energy sector industries, 13% from industrial processes and 11% from the residential, services and other sectors.
In addition, an estimated 9% of emissions come from agriculture and 5% from waste treatment.
The Monitor warns that each year that emissions increase, it becomes more difficult to meet the goal of not exceeding a 1.5 degree Celsius increase in global temperature.
According to their calculations, the reduction required for the next few years should be 6.2% per year from 2023 to 2030.
The delay in the publication of official data by the European Union and the UN has led to the need to use tools such as the Public Emissions Monitor of Catalonia to obtain updated emissions estimates.
Experts point out that developed countries, including Catalonia, must make a greater effort than the global average to reduce emissions and contribute to slowing global warming.
On decarbonization
Moving towards decarbonization and limiting global warming requires recent and accurate data on greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, it is essential to have an efficient and agile system to obtain updated and reliable information on emissions in order to take effective measures to combat climate change.
The increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Catalonia in 2022 is a wake-up call to intensify efforts to reduce emissions in all sectors.
It is the responsibility of authorities, companies and citizens to adopt more robust and sustainable measures that contribute to mitigating climate change and preserving the environment for future generations.
And it is a worldwide call, not only for Catalonia and the whole country.
Over the years, no real compliance and commitment has been achieved by countries to reduce emissions.
