Page last updated: 15/05/2008

Nitrous oxide - N₂O

Source : CITEPA / CORALIE SECTEN format - last updated 28 February 2008

Survey period : since 1990

Comments

208 kt of N₂O emissions LULUCF* excluded were observed in 2006. These emissions are decreasing since 1990 (-28% of total emissions, i.e. -84 kt).

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 81% of total emissions in 2006 (171 kt compared to 208 kt for the total LULUCF* excluded). 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. The emissions of this 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 between 1990 and 2006 : 69% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded in mainland France in 1990 besides 83% in 2006. It is the result of the reduction of emissions in industrial processes, and particularly adipic, glyoxylic and nitric acid production. Thus, manufacturing industry represented, in 1990, 29% of total emissions LULUCF* excluded (86 kt), and only 13% in 2006 (27 kt). 75% of the manufacturing industry sector emissions come from chemical industry in 2006. These emissions have fallen from 79 kt in 1990 to 20 kt in 2006 (-75%).

Road transport emissions have increased constantly since 1990 (+0.6 kt, i.e. an increase of 47%) in a result of cars being progressively fitted with catalytic converters. It represented only 1% of total emissions mainland France in 2006.

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

* LULUCF : Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry