EIA Reports

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 1998

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Growth Slows

Emissions of U.S. greenhouse gases increased by 1.4 percent between 1996 and 1997, about half the rate of increase experienced a year earlier. These emissions (1,791 million metric tons of carbon equivalent) were nearly 10 percent higher than the 1990 level -- the base year for international negotiations to limit greenhouse gases. The next round of negotiations begins this week in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The rate of growth in 1997 is a return to the average rate of increase experienced during the 1990s, after the weather-induced increase in 1996 of 2.8 percent, according to a report released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Highlights from the Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1997 include:

• Greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow less rapidly than the U.S. economy, which grew 3.8 percent between 1996 and 1997.

• Emissions of carbon dioxide increased by 1.5 percent or 22 million metric tons of carbon -- most of this increase (19 million tons of carbon) came from the burning of fossil fuels. Carbon dioxide emissions from all sources in 1997 were 1,501 million metric tons of carbon or 84 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

• Emissions growth for the gases other than carbon dioxide, was relatively flat, with a net increase of only 2 million metric tons (0.7 percent) of carbon equivalent for the entire group of gases. Scientists convert all these gases to carbon equivalents in order to make comparisons across gases. Emissions of these gases were 290 million metric tons of carbon equivalent in 1997 or 16 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions.

Detailed information for specific gases and sources:

• Of the 19 million ton increase in energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, 11 million metric tons were accounted for by the commercial sector. Industrial sector emissions rose by 5 million metric tons, indicating a continuation in the shift in the U.S. economy from more energy-intensive goods to less energy-intensive services. For the first time in six years, the transportation sector made little contribution to U.S. carbon emission growth.

• Emissions of methane, at 9 percent, the next largest contributor of total greenhouse gas emissions, were flat in 1997 and remained at 167 million metric tons of carbon equivalent. Since 1990, U.S. methane emissions have dropped by about 3.5 percent.

• Emissions of nitrous oxide, which account for about 5 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions, dropped by 1 million metric tons, from 86 million metric tons in 1996 to 85 million metric tons in 1997, when measured on a carbon equivalent basis.

• Actual emission levels of human-made gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexaflouride are very small (only 2 percent of total emissions), but their global warming potential is high. This category experienced a 3 million metric ton increase (from 35 to 38 million metric tons) between 1996 and 1997 when these gases are converted to carbon equivalent.

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1997 was prepared by EIA, Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting, pursuant to section 1605(a) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992. EIA is an independent agency within the Department of Energy that is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating energy information.

An electronic version of the report is available on EIA's Web site at http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/1605a.html. Printed copies of the report are available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 202/512-1800 or through EIA's National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800.

EIA Program Contacts: Arthur Rypinski, 202/586-8425, Perry Lindstrom, 202/586-0934
EIA Press Contact: National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800, infoctr@eia.doe.gov

EIA-98-25

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