Recession Means 2009 EU Emissions Down 11% on 2008

OSLO, NORWAY, Apr 06 (MARKET WIRE) --
Last year, some 1,887 Million tonnes (Mt) of greenhouse gases were
emitted by the installations that participate in the European Union's
Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), plus Norway. This drop in emissions,
equivalent to 11% on the comparable 2008 figure of 2,120 Mt, occurred
across all sectors and in all countries and is in line with Point Carbon
estimates. Point Carbon is the leading provider of market intelligence,
news, analysis, forecasting and advisory services for the energy and
environmental markets.

The analysis was based on the verified emissions data published April 1
by the European Commission via its Community Independent Transaction Log
(CITL). The analysis is based on data for just above 10,000 installations
accounting for around 90% of 2008 emissions.

The data confirms that the economic downturn has had an even greater
impact on industrial production and power demand than last year when the
economic slump resulted in a 6% reduction in emissions compared to 2007.
While emissions were down in all sectors, following the recent economic
downturn, the largest relative change is found in the Metals Sector
(emissions down 29%) and the Cement, Lime and Glass sector (down 20%)
probably reflecting that these are the sectors that have been worse hit
by the recession. The Power and heat sector emitted 9% less mainly due to
significantly lower industrial production and a resulting fall in demand
for power through 2009.

Emissions reductions also occurred across all countries whose emissions
were verified. Most significantly, Italy and Spain both saw a 16%
reduction in their emissions, followed by Great Britain (13%) and Germany
(8%).

According to Kjersti Ulset, Manager of European carbon analysis at Point
Carbon Trading Analytics & Research, "This data certainly confirms that
2009 was a year of almost unprecedented economic downturn in Europe and
most of the world. Emissions were down in all sectors and in all
countries as the slump has deepened and widened considerably over the
past twelve months."

She added, "The data was in line with Point Carbon's predictions and was
more or less what the market expected. However, the small uptick in the
price of carbon after the data was released might suggest that market
participants had feared even lower emissions in 2009, and that market
confidence improved once the data was released."

As each year more verified data is issued, future predictions and
forecasts can be made with more certainty, providing an important tool
for the future development of the emissions market in its second phase.

About Point Carbon
Point Carbon is a world-leading provider of
independent news, market analysis and advisory services for global power,
gas and carbon markets. Point Carbon's comprehensive services provide
professionals with market-moving information through monitoring
fundamental information, key market players, and business and policy
developments.

CONTACT
North America
Adam Williams
Marketing Coordinator, North America
P: +1 202 460 9734
E: Email Contact

Europe
Kjersti Ulset
Head of European Carbon Analysis
P: +47 48 28 16 00
E: Email Contact

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