In the third quarter of 2023, greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union reached an estimated total of 787 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), according to new data from Eurostat.
This is down an estimated 7.1% on the corresponding period in 2022, in which emissions of 847 million tonnes of CO2-eq were reported.
The sectors with the most notable emissions reductions compared to the same period in 2022 were electricity and gas supply (-23.7%), households (-6.5%), and manufacturing (-4.9%), the data showed.
Greenhouse gas emissions reduction
A total of 23 EU members reported a decline in greenhouse gas emissions during the period, compared to the same period in 2022.
Estonia reported the largest decline in greenhouse gas emissions across all EU member states in the third quarter of 2023, with a decrease of 30.7%. Other notable declines were reported in Bulgaria (-18.6%), Germany (-12.2%), Czechia (-9.9%), and Finland (-9.3%).
During the same period, four EU members reported an increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the third quarter of 2023. These included Malta (+7.7%), Cyprus (+3.7%), Latvia (+3.4%), and Slovakia (+0.9%).
According to Eurostat‘s data, 11 EU countries, namely Romania, Croatia, Greece, Portugal, Bulgaria, Belgium, Spain, Slovenia, Poland, France, and Lithuania, are estimated to have reduced emissions while simultaneously experiencing GDP growth.
However, Ireland, Estonia, Austria, Luxembourg, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Hungary reported a decline in both GDP and emissions during the same period.
🆕🏭In Q3 2023, EU economy #GreenhouseGas emissions decreased in 23 EU members compared to Q3 2022.
— EU_Eurostat (@EU_Eurostat) February 14, 2024
Highest increases:
🇲🇹Malta (+7.7%)
🇨🇾Cyprus (+3.7%)
🇱🇻Latvia (+3.4%)
Largest decreases:
🇪🇪Estonia (-30.7%)
🇧🇬Bulgaria (-18.6%)
🇩🇪Germany (-12.2%)
👉 https://t.co/4mkerU11yy pic.twitter.com/hzmYgY4JUU
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