Väljaheites

Väljaheites is the Estonian term for emissions, referring to substances released into the environment as a by-product of human activity and, to some extent, natural processes. In practical use, it most often denotes anthropogenic emissions from energy production, industry, transportation, agriculture and waste management, and it is a central concept in climate policy and air quality management.

Types of emissions include greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases, which influence the climate. It also covers air pollutants like sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), which affect health and visibility. Emissions are commonly measured by mass per year and are often converted to carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) for climate-related assessments or reported as pollutant concentrations for air quality.

Measurement and reporting are conducted through national inventories that track emissions by sector. International frameworks include the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The EU requires member states to monitor, report and verify emissions and to pursue reductions via policy measures.

In Estonia, efforts to reduce emissions focus on diversifying energy sources away from oil shale, increasing energy efficiency, expanding renewables, and electrifying transport. The country participates in EU policy instruments and maintains annual inventories that reflect its progress and challenges.

Reducing emissions aims to mitigate climate change, improve air quality, and protect public health. Policy tools include carbon pricing, support for clean energy, and regulations on industrial processes. See also: climate policy, greenhouse gases, air pollution, emissions trading.