Statistics Poland

Agriculture and Environment Department

Air emissions accounts (AEA) record flows of gaseous and particulate matter emitted into the atmosphere as a result of economic activity.

AEA are a subset of environmental-economic accounts. They offer a detailed breakdown for 64 emitting economic activities (NACE), plus households, as defined in the national accounts of EU countries. They are aligned with economic statistics and GDP. These features make them suitable for integrated environmental-economic analyses and modelling – for example of 'carbon footprints' and climate-change modelling scenarios.

National Statistical Institutes (NSI) submit AEA to Eurostat through a mandatory annual data collection. The data collection includes an electronic questionnaire and this quality report.

The AEA dataset has the following dimensions:

1)           Air pollutant: Emissions to air of the following gaseous and particulate substances are collected (greenhouse gases, air pollutants):

Carbon dioxide without emissions from biomass (CO2),

Carbon dioxide from biomass (Biomass CO2)*,

Nitrous oxide (N2O), Methane (CH4),

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs),

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) including nitrogen trifluoride (NF3),

Nitrogen oxides (NOx),

Non-methane volatile organic compounds, (NMVOC),

Carbon monoxide (CO),

Particulate matter < 10μm (PM10),

Particulate matter < 2,5μm (PM2,5),

Sulphur dioxide (SO2),

Ammonia (NH3)

2)           Geopolitical entity: EU Member States, EFTA Countries, Candidate Countries etc.

3)           Economic activities: include 64 production activities (classified by NACE rev.2 A*64), and households’ consumption (3 sub-classes).

4)           Time: reference year for which air emissions are reported

5)           Unit: tonnes and thousand tonnes

The data refer to national economies as defined in the system of national accounts. Greenhouse gases and air pollutants emitted by resident units representing the national economy are covered.

Conceptually AEA belong to the international system of environmental economic accounting (SEEA-Central Framework). Furthermore, AEA is one of several physical modules of Eurostat's programme on European environmental economic accounts. It is covered by Regulation (EU) No.691/2011 on European environmental economic accounts.

AEA are closely related to concepts and definitions of national accounts. Most notably, they follow the residence principle, i.e. they record emissions related to resident unit's activities, regardless where those occur geographically.

Further methodological guidelines are provided in various publications by Eurostat (see Eurostat website > Environment > Methodology, heading: 'Air emissions accounts').

Data refer to emissions by resident economic units in the sense of SEEA CF 2012 and National Accounts (ESA), including households.

The national economy is as defined in SEEA CF 2012 and National Accounts (ESA), i.e. all economic activities undertaken by resident units.

The reference area is the economic territory as defined in SEEA CF 2012 and National Accounts (ESA). A unit is said to be a resident unit of a country when it has a centre of economic interest in the economic territory of that country, that is, when it engages for an extended period (1 year or more) in economic activities in that territory.

By following this residence principle, the Air Emission Accounts record emissions from resident units' activities, regardless where they occur. This is the main conceptual difference to emission inventories for greenhouse gases (UNFCCC) and air pollutants (CLRTAP).

2008-2021

Not applicable because AEA are not reported as indices.

The unit of measure is tonnes or thousand tonnes.

F-gases (HFC, PFC, SF₆ and NF₃) are reported in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.

SO_X are reported in tonnes of SO₂ equivalents, and NO_X are reported in tonnes of NO₂ equivalents.

The data refer to calendar years.

Air emissions accounts (AEA) are legally covered by EUR-Lex - 02011R0691-20220220 - EN - EUR-Lex (europa.eu) on European Environmental Economic Accounts.

Not applicable at national level.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The website and statistical data bases are the most important forms of sharing the statistical results.

Statistics Poland publishes statistical data significant to the national strategies, plans and other documents, which also answer the needs of the ordinary users.

Statistics Poland in years 2016-2018 (December) published, on Statistics Poland’s website, information note (in Polish) titled “Rachunki ekonomiczne środowiska” (“Environmental economic accounts”) containing information about AEA, MFA and TAXES (https://stat.gov.pl/obszary-tematyczne/srodowisko-energia/srodowisko/rachunki-ekonomiczne-srodowiska,7,3.html).

Since 2019 Statistics Poland has published above mentioned information in publication "Economics aspects of environmental protection (https://stat.gov.pl/en/topics/environment-energy/environment/economic-aspects-of-environmental-protection-2022,4,4.html).

Actual and archive release schedules are available at the Statistics Poland website:

https://stat.gov.pl/en/questions-and-orders/editorial-title-plan-of-the-statisics-poland-and-rso/

More detailed information are available upon request from interested users. The users have access to The Release Schedule prepared for a given year. Statistics Poland handles orders for statistical data, and it forwards applications to the relevant departments. The request is analyzed, the scope of data verified in terms of compliance with statistical confidentiality.

Data are disseminated annually.

Since 2019 the data has been disseminated in the annual publication (pdf and Excel format).

Since 2019 the data has been disseminated in the annual publication “Economic aspects of environmental protection”.

Since 2019 the data has been disseminated in the annual publication “Economic aspects of environmental protection”. (also Excel format).

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Some of data of pollution and protection of air are disseminated in the annual publications of the Statistics Poland “Environment” and “Economic aspects of environmental protection”.

Not applicable.

All activity data, emission factors and resulting emission data are stored in the inventory databases, which are constantly updated and extended to meet the requirements for emission reporting, with respect to UNFCCC and LTRAP as well as their protocols.

Not applicable.

Any additional national descriptions of the measures to assure the quality have not been elaborated yet. Generally the statistical products are monitored based on the procedures contained in the Internal Policy no 35 of the President of CSO from 28 December 2011. The quality reports, quality measures, control lists, quality reviews exist there.

Total emissions are in line with national inventory. Data are checked automatically by AEA Questionnaire file.

Data collection process is programmed in the way that collected data should be of the appropriate accuracy (which is possible to achieve for reporting units, but at the same time resulting from legal regulations and corresponding to the users’ needs). Statistics Poland makes every effort to ensure that statistical data are not affected by errors, especially resulting from factual issues.

Statistics Poland takes into account the needs of users by initiating new publications as well as by raising and development of employees competences.

Not applicable.

We do not recalculate data for years before 2008 due to the lack of energy data split by NACE rev 2.

Not applicable; To ensure comparability, this will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT in the European quality report using a standardised method.

See Annex 1.

Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.

Not applicable because data are not based on a sample survey.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

2 years (n-2)

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

The Regulation requires air emissions accounts to be provided by 30 September every year.

Poland transmitted the data to Eurostat on 26 Sept 2023, covering the years 2008-2021.

Every data is transmitted and published on time.

AEA are compiled according to harmonised guidelines provided by Eurostat and hence comparable across European countries reporting AEA to Eurostat.

Not applicable.

Data for all years are recalculated annually to ensure comparability and coherence.

Annex 2

Not applicable; To ensure comparability, this will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT in the European quality report using a standardised method.

NACE emissions data is cross-checked with national emissions in Annex I (CLRTAP) and CRF (UNFCCC) data.

Not applicable, because AEA data are annual.

Not applicable.

100%

0.95 FTE

NACE emissions data is cross-checked with national emissions in Annex I (CLRTAP) and CRF (UNFCCC) data, both at total and sectoral level. Data is also checked automatically by AEA Questionnaire file.

NACE emissions data is cross-checked with national emissions in Annex I (CLRTAP) and CRF (UNFCCC) data, both at total and sectoral level. Data is also checked automatically by AEA Questionnaire file.

Revised the figures for Nace G to S for the period 2016-2018. This is the result of using PEFA accounts to allocate emissions from road transport. Emissions from road transport are allocated to service sectors (NACE 45-96) in proportion to shares of liquid fuels consumption from PEFA accounts. 

Not applicable; To ensure comparability, this will be calculated and provided by EUROSTAT in the European quality report using a standardised method.

Key source data come from the emission inventories:

Air pollutants emissions for 1990-2021 (submitted to the CLRTAP/EMEP and EU):

https://www.ceip.at/status-of-reporting-and-review-results/2023-submission

GHG inventory for 1988-2021 (submitted to the UNFCCC and EU): https://unfccc.int/ghg-inventories-annex-i-parties/2023

Basic data on energy, transport, industry, agriculture, forestry, etc. comes from national statistics published by Statistics Poland (GUS) (Statistics Poland / Publications), for example:

Statistical Yearbook of The Republic of Poland; Energy statistics; Production of industrial products; Statistical yearbook of forestry; Environmental Protection; Energy from Renewable Sources; Transport – activity results; Statistical yearbook of agriculture; Livestock; Land use, sawn area and livestock population; Production of crops. Data on fuels use is derived from IEA / EUROSTAT database (europa.eu - Energy statistics - supply, transformation and consumption (nrg_10)) and from PEFA accounts. 

Annually.

Annually.

Statistics Poland checks the quality of data at the collection stage. High quality is ensured at all levels of statistical production.

Detailed information is provided in sections 18.5.2, 18.5.3, 18.5.4.

Not applicable.

To allocate emissions from energy sector (stationary fuel combustion) for NACE categories from 10 to 43 we apply the estimated shares of fuel use by NACE. Such an approach is consistent with values reported to UNFCCC and LRTAP.

For stationary combustion in service sectors the allocation was based on employment.

Industrial emissions are usually linked with NACE category. Emissions from use of paints were allocated by employment.

For Road transport, emissions associated with industry and construction (NACE: B-F) were allocated based on estimated shares of liquid fuels consumption from energy statistics. For other categories (agriculture and service sectors), Road transport emissions distribution is based on shares of liquid fuels consumption from PEFA accounts (in accordance with “Road transport allocation plan – 2020” – Stage I).

Road transport emissions were calculated using COPERT for the following NFR categories and then were allocated to NACE categories based on following assumptions:

1A3bi – Passenger cars

Emissions from this category have been at first divided into two groups: households and other users, using share of private passenger cars based on statistical data. Emissions for other users have been allocated to:

- industries (NACE B-F) according to shares of liquid fuels use from energy statistics;

- service sectors (NACE 45-96) and agriculture (NACE 1-3) as proportional to shares of liquid fuels consumption from PEFA accounts.

1A3bii – Light duty vehicles

Emissions from this category have been at first divided into two groups: industry and other users, based on energy statistics

Emissions from industry have been allocated to NACE B-F categories as proportional to calculated shares of liquid fuels consumption.

Emissions for other users have been allocated to service sectors (NACE 45-96) and to agriculture (NACE 1-3) as proportional to shares of liquid fuels consumption from PEFA accounts.

1A3biii– Heavy duty vehicles (lorries)

Emissions from this category were allocated using the same approach as for the category 1A3bii (above),

1A3biii – Heavy duty vehicles (buses)

Emissions from this category were allocated to NACE categories based on statistical data on the number of registered vehicles.

1A3biv - Mopeds and motorcycles

Emissions from this categories have been at first divided into two groups: households and other users, using share of private mopeds and motorcycles based on statistical data. Emissions for other users (NACE 1-3 and 45-96) have been allocated to NACE categories as proportional to shares of liquid fuels consumption from PEFA accounts.

National fishing vessels

Taking into account insignificant share of Polish national fishing in world’s fish catches (e.g. 0.24% in 2019) the impact of national fishing vessels operating abroad was estimated as negligible.

Water transport

Due to very small number of ships operating under Polish flag this subcategory was estimated as negligible.

Air transport

Emissions related to flights of Polish residents abroad and non-residents at the Polish territory were determined based on CO₂ emission data from OECD in the years 2013-2021. Based on this, data fuel consumption by residents and non-residents was determined and emissions of other pollutants were then estimated. For earlier years, data from OECD for 2013 was adopted. Based on these calculations the appropriate amounts of emissions have been included in the Bridging table.

Land transport

Corrections relating to Residence principle for passenger cars and road freight transport were estimated, following a developed methodology, described below.

Corrections for Residence principle for passenger cars

Based on collected data on border (including road) crossing, the relationship between Polish citizens and foreigners in relation to border traffic by car has been obtained. However, this data is not sufficient to estimate volumes of emissions for the residents abroad and non-residents on the territory of Poland. For the purposes of the AEA, expert estimate has been made, leading to a conclusion that share of fuels consumption for the residents journeys abroad in the transport fuel consumption referred to category Households. Transport is approximately 3%.

Based on the above estimates, the relevant corrections of emissions for passenger cars have been made in the main table and the Bridging Table.

Corrections for Residence principle in road freight transport

In order to derive resident road transport emissions from emission inventory data the following steps were taken:

-                 excluding the emissions of foreign units driving on the national territory [EMINR(d) + EMINR(I)],

-                 adding the emissions caused by national residents operating transport services abroad (mostly lorries and coaches) and national residents driving their cars abroad e.g. for tourism, (EMIR(A)).

Symbols used above mean:

EMI – emission [Gg]

I – international journeys leaving from country “c”

A – international journeys leaving from a foreign country and bound to country ‚c’ or operating entirely abroad d – national journeys

NR – non-residents

R – residents

Transport statistics were used to estimate the components to be added/ subtracted as a proportion of the inventories’ emissions. It was necessary to split inventory data on road transport emissions into passenger transport and goods/freight transport.

Goods/freight transport emissions were derived directly from the EMEP inventory concerning “light duty vehicles < 3.5t” and “heavy duty vehicles > 3.5t and buses”. Eurostat statistics on goods/freight transport by road allowed to calculate the following equation:

TG = GR(d) + GNR(d) + GR(I) + GNR(I).

Symbols used above mean:

TG – total goods/freight transport in country ‘c’ [tkm]

GR(d) - transport of goods by residents within national territory [tkm]

GNR(d) - transport of goods by non-residents within national territory [tkm]

GR(I) - transport of goods by residents for international journeys leaving from country ‚c’[tkm]

GNR(I) - transport of goods by non residents for international journeys leaving from country ‚c’ [tkm]

Eurostat statistics on road transport in Tkm also allowed to calculate the transport of goods by resident companies outside of Poland, GR(A). Hence, the emissions of resident companies for transport of goods outside of Poland, EMIR(A), were calculated by assuming that they can be related to the transport of goods by resident companies abroad, GR (A). Activity data for calculations were taken from Eurostat database.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

We do not recalculate data for years before 2008 due to the lack of energy data split by NACE rev 2.

Methodology for air emissions inventories is described in the relevant IIR and NIR reports.