Analysis of Emission of Greenhouse Gases from Road Transport in Poland between 1990 and 2017

Katarzyna Bebkiewicz,Jakub Lasocki,Krystian Szczepański,Magdalena Zimakowska-Laskowska,Zdzisław Chłopek

doi:10.3390/atmos11040387

Katarzyna Bebkiewicz, Jakub Lasocki + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11040387

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Abstract

The paper provides the results of the inventory of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from road transport in Poland over the period 1990–2017. To estimate GHGs’ emission from road transport, a standardized methodology was applied, consistent with 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories and EEA/EMEP Emission Inventory Guidebook 2019, as well as the COPERT 5 software. In the analysis, emissions of fossil carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide were taken into account. Emissions of all considered GHGs were converted to equivalent carbon dioxide. Throughout the subsequent years of emission inventory, emissions of all GHGs revealed an increasing trend, except for methane. The main cause underlying this increase is the dynamic development of motorization in Poland. Thus, GHGs’ emissions were analyzed, taking into account the number of road vehicles and the intensity of their use. An increase in the average specific distance emission was found for fossil carbon dioxide (by ca. 5%) and for nitrous oxide (by ca. 10%), while for methane, there was a decrease (by more than 150%). The GHGs’ emissions from road transport in Poland could be significantly lower if more emphasis was placed on the use of fuels from renewable energy sources.

Highlights

One of the most severe environmental threats, associated with human activities, is global warming of the Earth’s surface and lower layers of the atmosphere and the consequential climate change impact
Causes of global warming are seen in increasing concentrations of the so-called greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere, which result from increasing emissions of these gases [1,2]
Emissions of individual GHGs were converted to the emission of equivalent carbon dioxide, based on the global warming potential (GWP) according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Fifth Assessment

Summary

Introduction

One of the most severe environmental threats, associated with human activities, is global warming of the Earth’s surface and lower layers of the atmosphere and the consequential climate change impact. The rising concern of threats to the environment resulting from global warming of the Earth’s surface and the atmosphere prompted the international community to undertake supranational efforts to prevent climate change. Within the framework of this activity, in line with Decision 24/CP. of the convention [5], Poland, likewise as other countries listed in Annex I to the convention, establishes national inventory of GHGs’ emissions [6]. Greenhouse gases and other pollutants hazardous to living organisms are inventoried in Poland by the National Centre for Emissions Management (KOBiZE) at the Institute of Environmental Protection–National Research Institute, subject to the Minister of Climate [6]

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