1

Emission AccountsEmission Accounts

Training Session on the System of Environmental-Economic Training Session on the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting for Water (SEEAW) for the Arab Gulf CountriesAccounting for Water (SEEAW) for the Arab Gulf Countries

August 25-28, 2008August 25-28, 2008UN House- Beirut-LebanonUN House- Beirut-Lebanon

Michael Vardon (United Nations Statistics Division)Michael Vardon (United Nations Statistics Division)

Michael Nagy (Austrian Environment Agency)Michael Nagy (Austrian Environment Agency)

OutlineOutline

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

• ConceptsConcepts

• The standard tables of SEEAWThe standard tables of SEEAW

• Example of AustriaExample of Austria

• Policy uses and indicatorsPolicy uses and indicators

What do emission accounts What do emission accounts measure?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 compiling emission accountsWhy compiling 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 is being emittedWhere is being emitted

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

Why compiling emission accountsWhy compiling emission accounts

Since they are linked to the economic accounts Since they are linked to the economic accounts (via the hybrid tables), they allow for (via the hybrid tables), they allow 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 of the evaluation of the economic impacts of policies aiming at reducing emissionspolicies 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 of a release of a

pollutant to water as well as the indirect release by pollutant to water as well as the indirect release by transfer to an off-site wastewater treatment plant.transfer to an off-site wastewater treatment plant.

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

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

Wastewater and pollutants Wastewater and pollutants pathwayspathways

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 for are those emissions for

which the geographical location of the discharge which the geographical location of the discharge of the wastewater is clearly identified (for of the wastewater is clearly identified (for example, emissions from wastewater treatment example, emissions from wastewater treatment plants, power plants, other industrial plants, power plants, other industrial establishments)establishments)

They are generally easier to measure since the They are generally easier to measure since the point of emission to the water resources is clearly point of emission to the water resources is clearly identifiedidentified

Basic concepts and definitionsBasic concepts and definitionsNNon-pointon-point (or diffuse) sources of pollution are (or diffuse) sources 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 collection of individual and small scale polluting activities which for practical reasons polluting activities which for practical reasons cannot be treated as point sources of pollution. cannot be treated as point sources of pollution. The commonly used categories for non-point The commonly used categories for non-point sources include sources 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 wastewaterPollutants added to wastewater

Point sources:Point sources:

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

Pollutants resulting from in-situ use Pollutants resulting from in-situ use (e.g. navigation, fishing, etc.)(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 the included in the quality accounts)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 pollutants discharged into water resources after treatment.after 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 world Industries, households and the Rest of the world are identified by columnsare identified by columns

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

22

Emission accounts by ISIC 37Emission accounts by ISIC 37

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

22

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

22

3030

55

2525

2727

Urban runoffUrban runoffUrban run-offUrban run-off:: that portion of precipitation that portion of precipitation on urban on urban

areasareas that does not naturally percolate into the ground that does not naturally percolate into the ground or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, underflow, or or evaporate, but flows via overland flow, underflow, or channels or is piped into a defined surface water channels or is piped into a defined surface water channel or a constructed infiltration facility.channel or a constructed infiltration facility.

It is generally highly polluted and It is generally highly polluted and there is an increasing there is an increasing awareness in the potential danger of discharging it into awareness in the potential danger of discharging it into the environment without treatment.the environment without 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 for its since this is the economic unit responsible for its collection and dischargecollection and discharge

Reallocation of emissionsReallocation of emissions

Simplest method:Simplest method:

• Use global abatement rate (the assumption is Use global abatement rate (the assumption is that there is the same treatment capacity)that there is the same treatment capacity)

OtherwiseOtherwise

• Use information of the treatment typeUse information of the treatment type

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 productionSludge 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 Diffuse Quantification of Nutrient Losses from Diffuse Sources - Sources - EUROHARPEUROHARP

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

Waste Water Emissions in AustriaWaste Water Emissions in Austria

Information needsInformation needs• To answerTo answer national policy relevant questions: national policy relevant questions:

• Status, trends, forecasts on emissions and pollution Status, trends, forecasts on emissions and pollution controlcontrol

• Fulfillment of Fulfillment of international reportinginternational 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 system and urban waste water treatment plants?What is the % of population connected to collecting system and urban waste water treatment plants?• Is pollution from urban areas and industry increasing or decreasing?Is pollution from urban areas and industry increasing or decreasing?

• New Policy questionsNew Policy questions• Mostly related to economic considerations (more about these later)Mostly related to economic considerations (more about these later)

““Classical” indicatorsClassical” indicators

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

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

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

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

• ((Dangerous substancesDangerous substances))

Characteristics of “classical” Characteristics of “classical” waste water indicatorswaste water 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 technologies and of treatment technologies and production processesproduction processes

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

• Indicators have been used for Indicators have been used for monitoring monitoring 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 measures (as e.g. required according to EU-

WFD) 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.

fishery, drinking water production, tourism,...• Other uncertain effects of loss of healthy

environment

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

consider ALL sources of pollutionconsider ALL sources of pollution• Industry aggregationIndustry aggregation link with economic link with economic

indicatorsindicators• 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 dischargesCSB

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 collections exists:A lot of data collections exists:

• National AccountsNational Accounts• National reports on the status of the environmentNational reports on the status of the environment• International reporting obligations (WFD, International 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 each year with data from regional authorities (for each individual “significant” discharger)individual “significant” discharger)

To further develop emission To further develop emission accounts in Austriaaccounts in AustriaDemonstrate 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 Use already existing data collections as

far as possible (usually legally binding)far as possible (usually legally binding)Modify data collections (and their legal Modify data collections (and their legal

basis) where this is necessary (coverage, basis) where this is necessary (coverage, sector-specific aggregation)sector-specific aggregation)

Outlook for AustriaOutlook for Austria• Emission accounts project :Emission accounts project :

• Use of data of the Austrian Emission Inventory on Surface Use of data of the Austrian Emission Inventory on Surface Waters (developed according to EU-WFD, covers Waters (developed according to EU-WFD, covers “significant” point sources and diffuse sources) for “significant” point sources and diffuse sources) for NAMEA-Water Emissions (2004-2005 data)NAMEA-Water Emissions (2004-2005 data)

• Develop methodology for consistent time-series based on Develop methodology for consistent time-series based on WFD-dataWFD-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 questionsEmission accounts are addressing new policy-relevant questions• Existing data collection systems may contain useful information Existing data collection systems may contain useful information

(e.g. Emissions Register)(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 versus discussion with different stakeholders (e.g. agriculture versus

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

Contact detailsContact detailsMichael VardonAdviser on Environmental-Economic AccountingUnited Nations Statistics DivisionNew York 10017 USARoom DC2 1532Phone: +1 917 367 5391Fax: +1 212 963 1374Email: vardon@un.org

Michael NagyCompetency Center for Data Management & ReportingUmweltbundesamt Austria (Federal Environment Agency)Spittelauer Laende 51090 ViennaPhone: +43 1 31304 3490Email: michael.nagy@umweltbundesamt.at