Press release: 12.338-178/20

Vienna, 2020-10-09 – Between 1995 and 2018, the Austrian emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases were reduced considerably, as Statistics Austria reports. The highest reductions were achieved for sulphur dioxide (SO2; -72.5%), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC; -54.8%) as well as carbon monoxide (CO; -47.8%). But also emissions of methane (CH4; -32.4%), nitrous oxide (N2O; -18.1%), nitrogen oxide (NOx; -15.5%) and particulate matter represented by PM2.5 (-37.8%) and PM10 (-28.1%) were significantly reduced. Only emissions from climate-relevant CO2 (+3.1%) as well as ammonia (NH3; +2.5%) rose.

Both households and the economy show decreases in most air emissions. Households reduced all observed air emissions and greenhouse gases considerably – except for CO₂ from other sources (+1.7%). In the economy, however, emissions of climate-relevant CO₂ rose by 12.7%, those of NH₃ by 4.3% and those of NO_x by 6.5% since 1995. The increase of CO₂ emissions can be explained by a high rise (+19.9%) in CO₂ emissions from other sources than combustion processes (like processes in iron and steel production or the transformation of limestone into cement clinker in cement production). However, the use of renewable, carbon neutral energy carriers is rising in the Austrian economy: Between 1995 and 2018, CO₂ emissions from biogenic sources increased by 200.8%.

For more detailed results and further information concerning statistics on air emissions and greenhouse gases please refer to our website.

Information on methods, definitions: These results were calculated by Statistics Austria considering only emissions caused by persons living in Austria as well as enterprises and institutions registered in Austria. In contrast to this, the Environment Agency Austria compiles – within the framework of international reporting obligations (UNFCCC, UNECE CLRTAP) – the Austrian Air Emission Inventory, where air emissions are reported that are caused in Austria, independently of the polluters' origin. Environment Agency Austria's Annual Air Emission Inventory also forms the basis for the Air Emission Accounts.

For further inquiries please contact Directorate Spatial Statistics, Statistics Austria:  
Manuela STRASSER, Tel. +43 (1) 71128-7184 resp. manuela.strasser@statistik.gv.at and 
Sacha BAUD, Tel. +43 (1) 71128-7304 resp. sacha.baud@statistik.gv.at

Media owner, producer and publisher: 
STATISTICS AUSTRIA, Federal Institution under Public Law 
1110 Wien, Guglgasse 13, Tel.: +43 (1) 71128-7777 
presse@statistik.gv.at © STATISTICS AUSTRIA

©  STATISTICS AUSTRIA, Last Changed 09.10.2020

  Print    Top