Rich nations’ greenhouse gases fell in 2006: survey

OSLO (Reuters) – Rich nations’ greenhouse gas emissions dipped for the first time in five years in 2006, easing 0.1 percent despite robust economic growth, a Reuters survey of the latest available information showed Friday.

The figures were less gloomy than a report this week, based on scientist estimates to 2007, which said world emissions were surging, led by rocketing growth in poor countries such as China and India twinned with a tiny rise by industrialized nations.

The Reuters survey, of data submitted by 40 industrialized nations to the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat and against which the U.N. judges compliance on cutting emissions, indicated 2006 emissions fell to the equivalent of 18.01 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from 18.03 billion in 2005.

A mild U.S. winter cut demand for energy for heating while rising oil prices were a possible factor restraining growth.

Reuters