Page last updated: 15/06/2009

Nitrous oxide - N₂O

Source : CITEPA / CORALIE SECTEN format - last updated 18 February 2009

Survey period : since 1990

Comments

206 kt of N₂O emissions LULUCF* excluded were observed in 2007. Emissions from LULUCF* amounted to 7 kt that year, they represented around 3% of total emissions.

Every sector contributes to the emissions, but in different proportions. However, whichever the year, the main source of N₂O emissions is the agriculture/forestry sector with 83% of total emissions in 2007. The emissions of this sector come from the nitrification/denitrification processes in cultivated soils, especially with the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers, and manure management.

Manufacturing industry represented 12% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded in 2007. 74% of the emissions of this sector come from chemical industry in 2007.

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 1990-2007 period, emissions resulted a reduction of 28% (-84 kt). This reduction was observed in most of the sectors.

The emissions of agriculture/forestry sector have reduced since 1990 (-15%, i.e. -30 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 2007 : 68% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded in mainland France in 1990 besides 83% in 2007.

The decrease observed in the manufacturing industry sector (-71%, i.e. -61 kt) was the result of the reduction of emissions in industrial processes, and particularly adipic, glyoxylic and nitric acid production.

Road transport emissions have increased constantly since 1990 (+0.6 kt, i.e. an increase of 43%) in a result of cars being progressively fitted with catalytic converters. It represented only 1% of total emissions mainland France in 2007.

* LULUCF : Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry