Cooperation between the Baltic and the Nordic countries to reduce CO2 emissions

The purpose of the study financed by the Nordic Council is to describe technical and economical opportunities for cooperation between the Baltic and Nordic countries in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The forms of cooperation considered in this work comprise Joint Implementation and power exchange. Targets for emission reduction are based on the Climate Convention. Existing and forecasted CO2 emissions from the power plants and areas in question have been estimated according to the fuel consumptions and the specific emission factors of the fuels. Total emissions in the study area were about 350 million tons in 1990. The contribution of the Baltic countries was about 100 tons. Emissions from electricity and heat production in the Nordic countries contribute by 25% and in the Baltic countries by 35% to the total emissions. Without any reductions, emissions in the Nordic countries are forecasted to increase to 300 tons per year by the year 2000. Emissions from the Baltic countries, however, are expected to remain on the 1990 level. Several emission reduction alternatives in the Baltic energy system have been outlined in this study: in the energy production, these include enlargement of combined heat and power production, increase of the energy efficiency at power plants and fuel modifications. From the Nordic countries' point of view, power exchange and Joint Implementation with the Baltic countries could play a moderate role in reducing CO2 emissions. (EG) 13 refs