Hawaii Greenhouse Gas Emissions Report for 2015

From Hawaii DoH, January, 2019

Page ES-3: …In 2015, total GHG emissions in Hawaii were 21.28 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MMT CO2 Eq.). Net emissions, which take into account carbon sinks, were 17.75 MMT CO2 Eq. Emissions from the Energy sector accounted for the largest portion (87 percent) of total emissions in Hawaii, followed by the AFOLU sector (5 percent), the IPPU sector (4 percent), and the Waste sector (4 percent). Carbon dioxide was the largest single contributor to statewide GHG emissions in 2015, accounting for roughly 90 percent of total emissions on a GWP-weighted basis (CO2 Eq.). Methane is the second largest contributor (5 percent), followed closely by HFCs and PFCs (4 percent), N2O (2 percent), and SF6 (less than 0.1 percent). Figure ES-1 shows emissions for 2015 by sector and gas.

Total GHG emissions in Hawaii grew by 13 percent between 1990 and 2007 before falling 7 percent between 2007 and 2010 and another 8 percent between 2010 and 2015. Total emissions in 2015 were roughly 4 percent lower than 1990 levels. Net emissions were lower by roughly 7 percent in 2015 relative to 1990. Figure ES-2 shows emissions for each inventory year by sector. Emission by source and year are also summarized in Table ES-1….

Reclassify aviation as 'international’

(EDITOR'S NOTE: By exporting airliner exhaust, the nearly 50% growth in Hawaii tourism numbers since 2008 is simply evaporated from this report.  Meanwhile reductions in emissions caused by tourism-industry funded attacks on the dairy industry accrue to the bottom line.  The accounting changes thereby serve to support the current alliance between the tourism industry and environmentalists.) 

Page 88: … Transportation: Relative to the 2008 inventory report, 1990 emission estimates for transportation decreased by 15 percent, and 2007 emission estimates decreased by 3 percent. The primary reason for the 15 percent decrease in 1990 emissions was due to higher estimates of the proportion of jet fuel used for international bunker fuels, which reduced the estimate for domestic aviation.41

41: Note that while this change affects total statewide emissions, it does not affect the 1990 statewide baseline, as aviation emissions are excluded….

read … Full Report

  *   *   *   *   *

Clean Energy Fail: While Most States Clean Up, Hawaii CO2 Emissions Rise Since '08

…a report from the environmental group Ceres.org shows that Hawaii is one of the very few states where CO2 emissions are going up as well.

Climate Central July 14, 2015 reports:

Though most states are slowing their emissions, the report shows eight states moving in the opposite direction, each seeing an increase in its emissions rate between 2008 and 2015. They include Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, Nebraska, Utah, Idaho and Alaska. Another is Hawaii, which generates most of its power using imported crude oil and has passed a law requiring 100 percent of the state’s electricity to be generated using renewables by 2045 — the first state to make such a commitment.

HCEI was launched in 2008.

Why would CO2 output be increasing while Hawaii approves nearly 70,000 solar installations--by far the highest per capita in the USA--and pours taxpayer dollars into windfarms?  It is because of what Hawaii is not doing.  Climate Central continues:

...42 states are already reducing carbon dioxide emissions from power plants on their own as they move toward using less coal and more natural gas to produce electricity. Between 2008 and 2013, those states reduced greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants by an average of 19 percent, according to a report published Tuesday by sustainability advocacy group Ceres, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Bank of America and four large utilities....

Hawaii Solar and Wind schemers have consistently opposed the use of LNG in Hawaii because it would reduce the cost of electricity and thereby undermine their so-called clean energy technologies. …

read … Fail 

News Release: State on target to beat 2020 greenhouse gas emissions goal

Meanwhile: Lawsuits Close in on Hawaii’s Largest Carbon Credit Scheme