Emissions increase by 2.5% in Faroe Islands, report reveals

Emissions in the Faroe Islands increased last year, with greenhouse gas emissions rising by 2.5%, according to the Environmental Agency.

Emissions from industry, electricity generation, and other non-fishing vessels saw an uptick, while other sectors used less oil compared to 2022. After a decrease in emissions in 2022, levels rose again last year.

The industrial sector consumed a third more oil in 2023 than in the previous year, particularly for fishmeal production. Despite having more wind energy available last year than in 2022, the local energy company SEV had to rely more on oil.

Sanctions against Russia have significantly impacted the sale to foreign fishing vessels, which is a key factor in the decrease of emissions. If foreign fishing vessels were excluded from the calculations of Faroese emissions, the actual growth would be 5.2%, rather than the reported 2.5%.

Compared to 2022, Faroese fishing vessels stored 4% more oil, while foreign vessels reduced their oil storage by 13%. For the second consecutive year, emissions from households were considerably lower than in previous years. Vehicle emissions also decreased by 4% compared to 2022.

The Environmental Agency has recently published the report on Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Faroe Islands from 1990 to 2023.