Greenhouse gases and climate measures
Our production of renewable energy is part of the solution to the climate challenges. We also work to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from our activities. In 2009, the sources of these emissions were gas power plants, district heating plants, transport (fuel consumption in own activities as well as business travel by car and airplane) and accidents (halon and SF6 emissions).
Increased emissions with increased activity
The marked increase in the scope of the activities in recent years has resulted in increased emissions – the CO2 emissions in 2009 amounted to 1 600 100 tonnes.
The Group buys climate quotas in the voluntary CO2 quota market to compensate for greenhouse gas emissions from those of our activities which are not subject to mandatory quota schemes. This applies to fuel consumption, business travel and greenhouse gas emissions as a result of accidents, and amounted to 9400 tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2009.
Gas power plants
CO2 emissions from gas power plants amounted to 1 516 500 tonnes.
District heating
Incineration in district heating plants resulted in the emission of 74 200 tonnes of fossil CO2. The discharges come from non-renewable waste and some oil.
Accidental emissions
Minor spills of the greenhouse gases halon and SF6 can result from our activities, and halon also depletes the ozone layer. Halon and SF6 emissions in 2009 corresponded to 3700 tonnes of CO2 equivalents.
Transportation
Transport contributed 5700 tonnes of CO2 equivalents. We want to reduce the amount of business travel and are facilitating video and conference calls. We also have a program to reduce CO2 emissions from our vehicles.
Research into emission of greenhouse gases from water reservoirs
Since 2003, Statkraft has been involved in international research into emission of greenhouse gases from water reservoirs. This effort is especially directed towards establishing an internationally recognised measuring method for calculation of net emissions of the greenhouse gas methane. In 2009, studies were made in two older and one planned reservoir in Laos (Theun Hinboun), under the auspices of Statkraft. Preliminary results indicate that manmade emissions from the reservoirs are very small.
Customer programs for more efficient use of energy
Statkraft's power sales units offer products, information, advice and tools which support efficient use of energy to both corporate and household customers. For the household customers, we market energy conservation measures in the media and on our website. For corporate customers, our services include web-based tools for overview and planning of optimum energy use.
Measures in many areas
The climate challenges require both political decisions and practical action on all levels. In addition to contributing through its own activities, Statkraft also wants to participate actively in social and political processes and make a difference for the better. Below is a list of specific climate-related initiatives in 2009 in which Statkraft participated:
KlimaGevinst (ClimateGain) – recommendations for an action plan for how business and industry can contribute to develop the low-emissions society, prepared by 14 Norwegian companies.
Green box Energy Camp – 48 of Norway's foremost experts gathered to develop projects which can give major, rapid climate effects within 2020.
SOLVit – research and development program into carbon capture technology under the leadership of Aker Clean Carbon.
Cooperation agreement with WWF Norway to limit global warming through more use of renewable energy.
Working with Hydro to purchase CO2 credits direct from projects in North Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Proposal for a Norwegian initiative for transfer of climate technology to developing countries as part of the UN's Climate Convention. The proposal has been prepared by WWF, LO (the Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions), Statkraft and Norfund and was handed over to Minister of the Environment and International Development, Erik Solheim, before the Copenhagen Climate Summit.
Statkraft participated in the Copenhagen summit (COP 15) and presented, along with Bellona, 101 solutions to the climate challenges.
