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Page last updated : 30/06/2010

Sulphur dioxide - SO2

Source : CITEPA / SECTEN format - April 2010

Survey period : since 1960

Emissions Variations
Emissions in 2008 : 358 kt Variation 2008 / 1980 : -89 %
  Variation 2008 / 1990 : -73 %
Maximum observed : 3 605 kt in 1973 Variation 2008 / maximum : -90 %
Minimum observed : 358 kt in 2008 Variation 2008 / minimum : 0 %

Main emitters in 2008 (top 5 of total emissions) :
  1 - Petroleum refining 26 %
2 - Electricity production 20 %
3 - Chemical industry 9.6 %
4 - Non-metallic mineral and construction materials 8.7 %
5 - Residential 5.4 %

Comments

In the year 2008, emissions reached their lowest levels since 1960 (358 kt). It represented 13.7% improvement compare to 2007.

The energy conversion sector was the main one contributing to SO2 emissions (51% of total emissions in mainland France in 2008), especially due to petroleum refining and electricity production.

Emissions have sharply decreased since 1990 (-73%, i.e. -976 kt) when between 1980 and 2008, they fell by -89%, i.e. -2 723 kt. All the sectors are concerned by this diminution.

The sharp decrease is a result of :

  • the reduction in fossil fuel consumption following the implementation of the French nuclear power plant programme,
  • energy conservation measures,
  • environmental legislation, i.e. lower sulphur content in domestic fioul since 1 st January 2008 (Directive 99/32/EC – 26 April 1999),
  • productivity improvements in industry especially through the retrofitting of plants and the development of new technologies. Lower sulphur content in petroleum products in the last few years has enabled the most recent progress.

However, the levels observed in 1991 and 1998 are due to particular weather conditions (colder years) and/or technical events (lower availability of nuclear power plants, higher fossil fuel consumption) and/or particular events, such as the economic crisis in 2008/2009 that sharpened the emission decrease. It shows how sensitive emissions are in relation to weather and economic conditions, especially in energy conversion and residential/tertiary sectors.

The reduction trends should continue in the coming years due to more legislations for large combustion plants and lower sulphur content in petroleum products, such as diesel and gasoline in 2009. This is consistent with the stringent target (375 kt) set under the NEC Directive for 2010 attained two years in advance.

 

 

  
 
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