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CO2 emissions 27% over limit set under Kyoto agreement

The figures for 2009 were lower than for the previous year but still above the recommended maximum level

Electric Bus. Helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions

C.M.W.Maó15/03/11 0:00

The quantity of CO2 that Menorca is sending into the atmosphere is 27.4% higher than that recommended in the Kyoto agreement, according to a recent study into the figures for 2009 by the Observatorio Socioambiental de Menorca (OBSAM). In that year the island released 689,624.5 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Spain originally agreed that, up to the year 2012, CO2 emissions would only increase by 15% on 1990's figure. However, in 2006 this was revised and increased to 37%. Even so, Menorca has failed to comply and is 27.4% over the limit agreed in 2006. Had the limit originally set been maintained the island would have been 74.5% over the target figure.

The good news is that the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere in 2009 was 6.4% lower than the previous year. Only in the years 1991, 1992 and 1993 were the readings below the maximums set in the Kyoto agreement.