عربي
Press Release by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) on World Environment Day (WED)
World Environment Day (WED) is the United Nations day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action to protect our environment. This event has grown to become a global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated in many countries. Each WED is organized around a theme that draws attention to a particularly pressing environmental concern. The theme for 2019 is “Air pollution ”.
“Air pollution”, is a call for action to combat one of the greatest environmental challenges of our time. The theme of WED 2019 encourages us all to consider how we can make changes in our everyday lives to reduce the amount of air pollution we produce, and reduce its contribution to global warming and our health as well.
Air pollution is the biggest threat to environmental health, killing about 7 million people every year. The pollutants contribute to global warming, reduce labor productivity and increase food insecurity around the world.
Below are facts and data about air pollution in Palestine:
Fifth of the Palestinian Households are Exposed to Smells and Gaza Strip is the Most Exposure to External Effects
Data of Socio-Economic Conditions Survey 2018 showed that 29% of households in Palestine were exposed to noise, whereas 21% of households were exposed to smells, 14% of households were exposed to dust, and 8% of households were exposed to smoke in 2018. It is noted that Gaza Strip were exposed to external effects more than West Bank.
Continuous Increase in Emissions During the Last Decade
In 2017, Palestine emissions from energy, agriculture and waste sectors were estimated 4,777.2 thousand metric tons CO2 eq. with a 45% increase compared to 2010.
In 2017, Palestine emissions from energy, agriculture and waste sectors were estimated 4,777.2 thousand metric tons CO2 eq. with a 45% increase compared to 2010.
Overall GHG Emissions by Year (1000 ton CO2 eq.)*, 2010-2017
|
Year |
Overall GHG emissions by type (1000 ton) |
Overall GHG emissions (1000 ton CO2 eq.) |
||
|
CO2 |
CH4 |
N2O |
||
|
2010 |
2,049.7 |
35.7 |
1.5 |
3,276.5 |
|
2011 |
1,900.2 |
38.2 |
1.7 |
3,226.3 |
|
2012 |
2,059.3 |
38.5 |
1.7 |
3,380.6 |
|
2013 |
2,294.7 |
38.5 |
1.6 |
3,612.0 |
|
2014 |
3,180.3 |
40.5 |
1.9 |
4,614.9 |
|
2015 |
3,013.4 |
42.8 |
1.9 |
4,496.1 |
|
2016 |
3,254.5 |
44.2 |
1.5 |
4,645.5 |
|
2017 |
3,284.3 |
44.2 |
1.8 |
4,777.2 |
*Methodology: The estimates of emissions to air is based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2006 Guidelines). Those guidelines provide internationally agreed methodologies intended for use by countries to estimate greenhouse gas inventories.
Energy Sector is the Biggest Source of Emissions in Palestine
Energy sector share was 71% of the total emissions, whereas solid waste sector share was 19%, and the rest came from agriculture sector 10%.
Energy Sector is the Biggest Source of Emissions in Palestine
Energy sector share was 71% of the total emissions, whereas solid waste sector share was 19%, and the rest came from agriculture sector 10%.
Emissions of Greenhouse Gas Inventory by Sector and Type of Emission (Thousand ton of CO2 eq.), 2017
|
Sector/Emission |
GHG inventory Thousand ton of CO2 eq. |
Share of sectors in GHG inventory, % |
|
Sector |
|
|
|
Energy |
3,392.4 |
71.0 |
|
Agriculture |
477.5 |
10.0 |
|
Waste |
907.3 |
19.0 |
|
GHG inventory |
4,777.2 |
100 |
|
Emission |
|
|
|
CO2 |
3,284.3 |
68.8 |
|
CH4 |
928.1 |
19.4 |
|
N2O |
564.8 |
11.8 |
|
GHG inventory |
4,777.2 |
100 |
Per Capita Emissions of CO2 in Palestine is the less comparing with the Neighboring Countries
Palestine’s emissions per capita during 2017 was approximately 1.0 tons CO2 eq., where as this figure was 0.8 ton/capita in 2011. Palestine’s emissions per capita were significantly lower than its neighboring countries. The figure below provides the approximate per capita emissions of those countries in CO2 equivalents for comparison:
Sharp Decrease in Renewable Energy Share in the Total Final Energy Consumption
Data showed that the percentage of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption in Palestine was 10% during 2017 whereas this share was 24% during 2004. Data showed that 34% of the Palestinian households used wood and olive cake for energy purposes.
Palestine’s emissions per capita during 2017 was approximately 1.0 tons CO2 eq., where as this figure was 0.8 ton/capita in 2011. Palestine’s emissions per capita were significantly lower than its neighboring countries. The figure below provides the approximate per capita emissions of those countries in CO2 equivalents for comparison:
Sharp Decrease in Renewable Energy Share in the Total Final Energy Consumption
Data showed that the percentage of renewable energy in the total final energy consumption in Palestine was 10% during 2017 whereas this share was 24% during 2004. Data showed that 34% of the Palestinian households used wood and olive cake for energy purposes.