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ONE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF CRISIS
Sally Bengtsson / 2009-10-16 10:37:53
The financial crisis isn’t all bad news. The recession has had a positive effect on Spain’s carbon footprint, according to new figures.
The amount of greenhouse gases produced nationwide fell nearly 17 percent in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the same period a year earlier, according to estimates released yesterday by the Foundation for Studies in Applied Economics (Fedea).
“When we grow economically, emissions increase, and vice versa,” said Xavier Labandeira, an expert in climate change at Vigo university. By this rationale, Labandeira warns that “when the current crisis is over, emissions will increase.” A 30-percent drop in the production of cement as a result of the construction slowdown and a 14-percent decrease in electricity demand are cited as the main factors. The energy and cement sectors have accounted for 97 percent of Spain’s carbon emissions since 2000. “We need to invest in new energy technologies,” said Labandeira.
Tags: Environment, Business, Economy
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