1 Emission Accounts Chile, 1-4 June, 2009 Emission Accounts Technical Workshop on the Preparation of Water Accounts in Latin America Chile, 1-4 June, 2009.

1

Emission AccountsEmission Accounts

Technical Workshop on the Preparation of Water Accounts in Latin America

Chile, 1-4 June, 2009Chile, 1-4 June, 2009

Jeremy Webb Jeremy Webb

United Nations Statistics DivisionUnited Nations Statistics Division

OutlineOutline

• What do emission accounts measure?What do emission accounts measure?

• ConceptsConcepts

• The standard tables of SEEAWThe standard tables of SEEAW

• Policy uses and indicators (e.g. Austria)Policy uses and indicators (e.g. Austria)

What do emission accounts measure?What do emission accounts measure?

Emission accounts describe, in physical units, flows of pollutants added to wastewater as a result of production and consumption, and flowing into water resources either directly or through the sewage network.

Why compile emission accounts?Why compile emission accounts?

Emission accounts provide information on: Emission accounts provide information on:

• Which activities are responsible for the Which activities are responsible for the emissionemission

• How much is being emittedHow much is being emitted

• Where this is being emittedWhere this is being emitted

They are useful for designing policies aimed They are useful for designing policies aimed at reducing pressure on the environment at reducing pressure on the environment

Why compile emission accounts?Why compile emission accounts?

Since they are linked to the economic Since they are linked to the economic accounts (via the hybrid tables), they allow accounts (via the hybrid tables), they allow for for

• the formulation of cost-effective policies the formulation of cost-effective policies aiming at reducing emissionsaiming at reducing emissions

• the evaluation of the economic impacts the evaluation of the economic impacts of policies aiming at reducing emissionsof policies aiming at reducing emissions

Basic concepts and definitionsBasic concepts and definitions

• Emissions to waterEmissions to water are defined as direct are defined as direct release release of a pollutant to water as well as the indirect of a pollutant to water as well as the indirect release by transfer to an off-site wastewater release by transfer to an off-site wastewater treatment plant.treatment plant.

• The SEEAW focuses only on the release of The SEEAW focuses only on the release of substances into water resources through the substances into water resources through the (direct and indirect) discharge of wastewater into (direct and indirect) discharge of wastewater into water resources. water resources.

• The direct discharge of heavy metals and The direct discharge of heavy metals and hazardous waste not through wastewater is not hazardous waste not through wastewater is not covered in the water emission accounts but in the covered in the water emission accounts but in the waste accounts.waste accounts.

Wastewater and pollutants pathwaysWastewater and pollutants pathways

Sewerage

Other industries

AgricultureHouseholds Rest of the world

Water resources and the seaWater resources and the sea

Basic concepts and definitionsBasic concepts and definitionsPoint source emissionsPoint source emissions are those emissions are those emissions for which the geographical location of the for which the geographical location of the discharge of the wastewater is clearly discharge of the wastewater is clearly identified identified e.g. emissions from wastewater treatment e.g. emissions from wastewater treatment plants, power plants, other industrial plants, power plants, other industrial establishmentsestablishmentsThey are generally easier to measure since They are generally easier to measure since the point of emission to the water resources is the point of emission to the water resources is clearly identifiedclearly identified

Basic concepts and definitionsBasic concepts and definitions

NNon-pointon-point (or diffuse) (or diffuse) sourcessources of pollution are of pollution are sources sources without a single point of origin or a without a single point of origin or a specific outlet into a receiving water body. specific outlet into a receiving water body.

Pollutants are generally carried off the land by Pollutants are generally carried off the land by storm-water run-off or may be the result of a storm-water run-off or may be the result of a collection of individual and small scale polluting collection of individual and small scale polluting activities which for practical reasons cannot be activities which for practical reasons cannot be treated as point sources of pollution. treated as point sources of pollution.

Commonly used categories for non-point sources Commonly used categories for non-point sources include include agricultureagriculture and and urban areasurban areas..

Scope of emission accountsScope of emission accounts Include:Include: Exclude:Exclude:

Point sources:Point sources:

Pollutants added to Pollutants added to wastewaterwastewater

Point sources:Point sources:

Discharges of heavy metal and Discharges of heavy metal and hazardous wastes not contained hazardous wastes not contained in wastewater (in wastewater (included in the included in the SEEA waste accounts)SEEA waste accounts)

Pollutants resulting from in-situ Pollutants resulting from in-situ use (e.g. navigation, fishing, etc.)use (e.g. navigation, fishing, etc.)

Non-point sources:Non-point sources:

Urban runoffUrban runoff

Irrigation water and rain-fed Irrigation water and rain-fed agricultureagriculture

Non-point sources:Non-point sources:

All non-point sources except for All non-point sources except for urban runoff, irrigation water and urban runoff, irrigation water and rain-fed agriculture (rain-fed agriculture (included in included in the quality accounts)the quality accounts)

Basic concepts and definitionsBasic concepts and definitions

Gross emissionsGross emissions are the pollutants added to the are the pollutants added to the water by an activity, assessed at the point water by an activity, assessed at the point where the wastewater leaves the activity's site where the wastewater leaves the activity's site (or the dwelling, in the case of households). (or the dwelling, in the case of households).

Net (or final) emissionsNet (or final) emissions correspond to the correspond to the pollutants discharged into water resources after pollutants discharged into water resources after treatment.treatment.

Net emissions= grossNet emissions= gross emissionsemissions if there is no if there is no treatment of wastewatertreatment of wastewater

Emission accountsEmission accounts

Industries, households and the “rest of the Industries, households and the “rest of the world” are identified by columnsworld” are identified by columns

They record They record the pollution added to water by the pollution added to water by an economic unit (and not the total an economic unit (and not the total pollution discharged with wastewater)pollution discharged with wastewater)

Emission accountsEmission accounts

Sewerage

Other industries

AgricultureHouseholds Rest of the world

Water resources and the seaWater resources and the sea

2525

55

1-35-33, 41-43 35 36 37

38,39, 45-99 Total

1. Gross emissions (=1.a+1.b)1.a. Direct emissions to water (=1.a.1+1.a.2=1.a.i+1.a.ii)

1.a.1 Without treatment1.a.2 After on-site treatment 1.a.i To water resources 1.a.ii To the sea

1.b. To Sewerage (ISIC 37)

tonnes

Pollutant

Industries (by ISIC categories)

Hou

seho

lds

Res

t of

the

wor

ld

Tot

al

3030

55

2525

3030

2020

185185

185185

9090

9090

9595

9595

Emission accounts by ISIC 37Emission accounts by ISIC 37

Now we can reallocate the emissions by ISIC Now we can reallocate the emissions by ISIC 37 to the activity responsible for the emission37 to the activity responsible for the emission

4. Emissions to water (=4.a+4.b)

4.a After treatment

To water resources

To the sea

4.b Without treatment

To water resources

To the sea

tonnes

Pollutant

ISIC 37

2020

2020

Emission AccountsEmission Accounts

1-35-33, 41-43 35 36 37

38,39, 45-99 Total

1. Gross emissions (=1.a+1.b)1.a. Direct emissions to water (=1.a.1+1.a.2=1.a.i+1.a.ii)

1.a.1 Without treatment1.a.2 After on-site treatment 1.a.i To water resources 1.a.ii To the sea

1.b. To Sewerage (ISIC 37)2. Reallocation of emission by ISIC 373. Net emissions (=1a+2)

tonnes

Pollutant

Industries (by ISIC categories)

Hou

seho

lds

Res

t of

the

wor

ld

Tot

al

30302525

Sewerage

Other industries

AgricultureHouseholds Rest of the world

Water resources and the seaWater resources and the sea

2525

55

3030

2020

55

185185

185185

9090

9090

9595

959511

26261919

109109

Urban runoffUrban runoff

Urban run-offUrban run-off:: that portion of precipitation that portion of precipitation on urban on urban areasareas that does not naturally percolate into the that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, ground or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, underflow, or channels or is piped into a defined underflow, or channels or is piped into a defined surface water channel or a constructed infiltration surface water channel or a constructed infiltration facility.facility.

It is generally highly polluted and It is generally highly polluted and there is an there is an

increasing awareness in the potential danger of increasing awareness in the potential danger of discharging it into the environment without discharging it into the environment without treatment.treatment.

Urban runoffUrban runoff

Emissions to water in the urban runoff are Emissions to water in the urban runoff are allocated to the Sewerage industry, ISIC 37 allocated to the Sewerage industry, ISIC 37 since this is the economic unit responsible since this is the economic unit responsible for its collection and dischargefor its collection and discharge

Reallocation of emissionsReallocation of emissions

• Use average removal rates (e.g. per Use average removal rates (e.g. per category of WWTP) orcategory of WWTP) or

• Use information of known removal rates per Use information of known removal rates per WWTPWWTP

Supplementary information (1)Supplementary information (1)

Emission to water resource:Emission to water resource:• Surface water (and further disaggregation Surface water (and further disaggregation

into artificial reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc.)into artificial reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc.)• GroundwaterGroundwater

Sludge production:Sludge production:• Total sewage sludge produced (vol.)Total sewage sludge produced (vol.)• Load in total sewage sludgeLoad in total sewage sludge

Diffuse emissionsDiffuse emissions

• European Harmonised Procedures for European Harmonised Procedures for Quantification of Nutrient Losses from Quantification of Nutrient Losses from Diffuse Sources - Diffuse Sources - EUROHARPEUROHARP

• Web: Web: http://euroharp.org/index.htmhttp://euroharp.org/index.htm

Waste Water Emissions in AustriaWaste Water Emissions in AustriaCourtesy of Michael NagyCourtesy of Michael Nagy

Umweltbundesamt Austria (Federal Environment Agency)

Information needsInformation needs

• Policy relevant questions:Policy relevant questions:• Status, trends, forecasts on emissions and Status, trends, forecasts on emissions and

pollution controlpollution control• Fulfillment of Fulfillment of European reportingEuropean reporting exercises: exercises:

• EU-Urban Waste Water Treatment DirectiveEU-Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive• EU-Water Framework DirectiveEU-Water Framework Directive• EPER EPER PRTR PRTR• Eurostat / OECD Joint Questionnaire on Inland Eurostat / OECD Joint Questionnaire on Inland

WatersWaters

Policy demandsPolicy demands

• ““Classical” policy questionsClassical” policy questions::• What is the % of population connected to collecting What is the % of population connected to collecting

system and urban waste water treatment plants?system and urban waste water treatment plants?• Is pollution from urban areas and industry increasing or Is pollution from urban areas and industry increasing or

decreasing?decreasing?• New Policy questionsNew Policy questions

• Mostly related to economic considerations (more about Mostly related to economic considerations (more about these later)these later)

““Classical” indicatorsClassical” indicators

• Population connectedPopulation connected to collecting system and waste to collecting system and waste water treatment plantswater treatment plants

• Waste water quantitiesWaste water quantities (m³) discharged (urban / (m³) discharged (urban / industry)industry)

• Organic pollutantsOrganic pollutants (BOD / COD) discharged (urban / (BOD / COD) discharged (urban / industry)industry)

• NutrientsNutrients (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) discharged (Nitrogen and Phosphorus) discharged (urban / industry)(urban / industry)

• Dangerous substancesDangerous substances

Characteristics of “classical” waste Characteristics of “classical” waste water indicatorswater indicators

• Focus on Focus on point sourcespoint sources discharging into discharging into surface waterssurface waters• Policy relevant questions were related to the facts that:Policy relevant questions were related to the facts that:

• pollution of surface waters stemmed mainly from pollution of surface waters stemmed mainly from point point sources sources

• big potential for improvementbig potential for improvement of treatment of treatment technologies and production processestechnologies and production processes

• Indicators have been the basis for regulations on Indicators have been the basis for regulations on limitation limitation of discharged pollutantsof discharged pollutants (production sector specific), (production sector specific), investmentsinvestments, , subsidiessubsidies and other measuresand other measures

• Indicators have been used for Indicators have been used for monitoringmonitoring of progress and of progress and assessment of achievement of policy goalsassessment of achievement of policy goals

Indicator: Indicator: connections to sewerageconnections to sewerage

47,9

57,9

71,075,7

81,586,0

30,0

50,0

73,5

80,9

86,0

k.A.

60,0

k.A.0,0

10,0

20,0

30,0

40,0

50,0

60,0

70,0

80,0

90,0

100,0

1968 1971 1981 1991 1995 1998 2001

% o

f pop

ulat

ion

Connection to collecting system Connection to UWWTPs

Indicator: Indicator: Treatment efficiencies and dischargesTreatment efficiencies and discharges

294.863

551.486

44.270

7.02013.639

48.744

14.0031.164

-

100.000

200.000

300.000

400.000

500.000

600.000

BOD5 COD Nitrogen Phosphorus

Parameter

[t/a

]

Incoming Discharged

New policy questionsNew policy questions

• Which actions are the most cost-effective?• What are the costs to reduce 1 unit of a pollutant

discharged from agriculture/industry/urban areas....?

• What are the socio-economic costs of polluted waters?• Health of society• Economic activities dependent from clean water e.g.

fishing, water supply, tourism,...• Other (uncertain) effects

New waste water indicatorsNew waste water indicators• Better Better consideration of diffuse pollutionconsideration of diffuse pollution to consider to consider ALLALL sources sources

of pollutionof pollution

• Industry aggregatesIndustry aggregates link with economic indicators link with economic indicators

• GoalsGoals• identify cost-efficient measuresidentify cost-efficient measures• assess socio-economic effectsassess socio-economic effects• monitor effects of changed production-technologiesmonitor effects of changed production-technologies

COD emissions, direct dischargesCOD emissions, direct discharges

CSB

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

50000

01 02 05 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 40 41 45 50 51 52 55 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 70 71 72 73 74 75 80 85 90 91 92 93 95 99 H

NACE - Abteilungen

[t/a

]

Herstellung und Verarbeitung von Papier und Pappe

Haushalte

Abwasser- und Abfallbeseitigung und sonstige Entsorgung

Herstellung von Chemikalien und chemischen Erzeugnissen

COD

Manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products (21)

Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products (24)

Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities (90)

Households

Share of COD emissions

Private Households43%

Manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products

32%

Sewage and refuse disposal, sanitation and similar activities

5%

Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

5%

Rest15%

Nitrogen emissions, direct dischargesNitrogen emissions, direct discharges

Stickstoff

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

01 02 05 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 40 41 45 50 51 52 55 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 70 71 72 73 74 75 80 85 90 91 92 93 95 99 H

NACE - Abteilungen

[t/a

]

Haushalte

Landwirtschaft, J agd

Forstwirtschaft

Nitrogen (total)

Agriculture, hunting and related service activities (01)

Forestry (02)

Households

Share of Nitrogen emissionsShare of Nitrogen emissions

Agriculture, hunting60%Forestry

16%

Private Households15%

Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

4%

Rest5%

Chrome emissions. direct dischargesChrome emissions. direct dischargesChrom

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

01 02 05 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 40 41 45 50 51 52 55 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 70 71 72 73 74 75 80 85 90 91 92 93 95 99 H

NACE - Abteilungen

[kg

/a]

Metallerzeugung und -bearbeitungGlas, Steine und Erden

Textilien und Textilwaren (ohne Bekleidung)

Leder

Chrome

Manufacture of basic metals (27)Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products (26)

Manufacture of textiles (17)

Leather (19)

Share of Chrome emissionsShare of Chrome emissions

Manufacture of basic metals34%

Manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products

30%

Manufacture of textiles16%

Tanning and dressing of leather13%

Rest7%

Data collectionData collection

• A lot of data is already collected:A lot of data is already collected:• National AccountsNational Accounts• National reports on the status of the National reports on the status of the

environmentenvironment• European reporting obligations (WFD, European reporting obligations (WFD,

UWWTD, EPER, etc.)UWWTD, EPER, etc.)• Austrian Emissions Inventory: updated once a Austrian Emissions Inventory: updated once a

year with data from regional authorities (for year with data from regional authorities (for each individual “significant” discharger)each individual “significant” discharger)

To further develop emission accounts To further develop emission accounts in Austriain Austria

Demonstrate usefulness to policy makers Demonstrate usefulness to policy makers (e.g. for purposes of EU-WFD)(e.g. for purposes of EU-WFD)

Use already existing data collections as far Use already existing data collections as far as possible (usually legally binding)as possible (usually legally binding)

Modify data collections (and their legal basis) Modify data collections (and their legal basis) where this is necessary (coverage, sector-where this is necessary (coverage, sector-specific aggregation)specific aggregation)

Outlook for AustriaOutlook for Austria

• Emission accounts project :Emission accounts project :• Use of data of the Austrian Emission Inventory on Use of data of the Austrian Emission Inventory on

Surface Waters (developed according to EU-WFD, Surface Waters (developed according to EU-WFD, covers “significant” point sources and diffuse sources) covers “significant” point sources and diffuse sources) for NAMEA-Water Emissions (2004-2005 data)for NAMEA-Water Emissions (2004-2005 data)

• Develop methodology for consistent time-series based Develop methodology for consistent time-series based on WFD-dataon WFD-data

• Overall goal: Regular update on the basis of WFD-dataOverall goal: Regular update on the basis of WFD-data

ConclusionsConclusions• Emission accounts are addressing new policy-relevant Emission accounts are addressing new policy-relevant

questionsquestions• Existing data collection systems may contain useful Existing data collection systems may contain useful

information (e.g. Emissions Register)information (e.g. Emissions Register)• May need to set-up specific data collections May need to set-up specific data collections • Promotion of usefulness of (emission) accounts is very Promotion of usefulness of (emission) accounts is very

important. They will aide:important. They will aide:• Understanding of the costs and benefits of measuresUnderstanding of the costs and benefits of measures• discussion with different stakeholders (e.g. agriculture discussion with different stakeholders (e.g. agriculture

versus industry as polluters of waters)versus industry as polluters of waters)• monitoring of environmental efficiencymonitoring of environmental efficiency• definition of policy goalsdefinition of policy goals

Contact detailsContact detailsJeremy WebbStatistician (Environment Statistics)United Nations Statistics DivisionNew York 10017, USARoom DC2 1410Phone: +1 212 963 8564Fax: +1 212 963 0623Email: [email protected]

Michael VardonAdviser on Environmental-Economic

AccountingUnited Nations Statistics DivisionNew York 10017, USARoom DC2 1532Phone: +1 917 367 5391Fax: +1 212 963 1374Email: [email protected]

Michael NagyUnit for Data Management & ReportingUmweltbundesamt Austria (Federal Environment Agency)Spittelauer Laende 51090 ViennaPhone: +43 1 31304 3490Email: [email protected]