Key indicators 2004 – 2 Decoupling illustrated by environmental impacts for 4 factors (greenhouse gases, runoffs of nutrients into the sea, emissions of acidifying substances and emissions to air) in relation to GDP

Key indicators 2004

2
Decoupling illustrated by environmental impacts for 4 factors (greenhouse gases, runoffs of nutrients into the sea, emissions of acidifying substances and emissions to air) in relation to GDP

Source: The National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark; Statistics Denmark

This indictor illustrates developments in relation to the objective of decoupling economic growth from impacts on the environment. The figure shows the development in emissions of greenhouse gases, runoffs of nutrients into the sea (N and P), and emissions of acidifying substances (SO₂ and NH₃) as well as emissions to air (NO_x and NMVOC) in relation to GDP.

Signs of decoupling economic growth from environmental impacts

Nitrogen and phosphorus additions have fallen since 1990. However, considerably increased water runoffs from 1997 to 1999 caused greater nutrient inputs during that period. Emissions of greenhouse gases fell slightly during the period 1990 to 2002. Emissions of acidifying substances fell considerably, however, most significantly with regard to emissions of sulphur. At the same time, GDP has increased steadily since 1993, indicating that economic growth and environmental impacts have been decoupled. Besides the emissions of NMVOC caused by humans, there are several other NMVOC sources. Therefore, the total impact on the environment from NMVOC is greater than the impact illustrated in the figure.

Generally speaking, developments within selected parameters are headed in the right direction in relation to the objective of decoupling growth and environmental impacts.