Page last updated: 30/06/2010

Nitrous oxide - N₂O

Source : CITEPA / SECTEN format - April 2010

Survey period : since 1990

Comments

209 kt of N₂O emissions LULUCF* excluded were observed in 2008. Emissions from LULUCF* amounted to 5 kt that year, they represented around 2% of total emissions.

Every sector contributed to the emissions, but in different proportions. However, whichever the year, the main source of N₂O emissions is the agriculture/forestry sector with 85% of total emissions in 2008 LULUCF excluded. The emissions of this sector came from the nitrification/denitrification processes in cultivated soils, especially with the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers, and manure management.

Manufacturing industry represented 11% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded in 2008. In 2008 71% of the emissions of this sector came from chemical industry and 19% from waste treatment mainly from water treatment (75% of the waste sub-sector).

The other but much less emitting sources were : residential/tertiary (2%), energy conversion (1%), road transport (1%) and the other transports than road (contribution negligible).

During the 1990-2008 period, emissions resulted in a reduction of 29% (-86 kt). This reduction was observed in most of the sectors.

The emissions of agriculture/forestry sector have reduced since 1990 (-12%, i.e. -24 kt) in a result of less mineral quantities and less manure management (better milk production efficiency). However, agriculture emissions have increased sharply between 1990 and 2008 : 68% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded in mainland France in 1990 besides 85% in 2008.

The decline observed in the manufacturing industry sector (-74%, i.e. -64 kt) was the result of the reduction of emissions in industrial processes, and particularly adipic, glyoxylic and nitric acid production. Thus, when manufacturing industry represented 29% of total emissions in mainland France in 1990 LULUCF excluded in 1990, it contributed only for 11% in 2008.

Road transport emissions have increased constantly since 1990 (+0.6 kt, i.e. an increase of 41%) in a result of cars being progressively fitted with catalytic converters. It represented only 1% of total emissions mainland France in 2008.

* LULUCF : Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry