High energy prices brought down fifth of Slovakia’s factory emissions

Factory emissions dropped by 20% in 2022, which can be largely attributed to high energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Denník N reported on Tuesday.

The biggest downturns in Slovakia’s emissions were during times of economic trouble.

They went down by 8.7% in the recession year 2009 and by 6.9% in the wake of the pandemic in 2020. So is the case for 2022’s downturn. The 20% decline in factory emissions can be largely attributed to high energy prices following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Last year’s decline is not a reason to be happy yet, because it is mainly due to the decline of the economy,” commented Janka Szemesová, head of the Department of Emissions and Biofuels at the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute.

The expert added that some of the declines could be permanent, as companies are adding energy efficiency and saving measures to their production, with some switching to their own renewable energy sources as well.

It is good news for Slovakia’s effort to add to the EU’s FitFor55 plans. According to new national targets, the country should bring its emissions down by 22.7% compared to 2005.

However, since the reason behind the decline is economic, the changes might not stick. After the pandemic year, emissions shot back up by 10% in 2021.

Greenhouse gasses have grown in one area only, transport, especially passenger cars. Despite the high fuel prices, emissions went up by 3%. Slovakia has voted for the ban on new combustion engines, but the issue became controversial during Germany’s last-minute protests. Slovakia is now a part of the Czech-led alliance fighting against the Euro 7 emission norm, which would tighten existing rules before the ban takes place.

For systemic changes in factory emissions, governmental analysts calculated that switching up production at U.S. Steel Košice steelwork will be crucial.

The factory now runs on fossil-fuel furnaces and wants to buy electrical ones. The project will likely be supported by a €300 million recovery fund subsidy.

(Barbara Zmušková | EURACTIV.sk)