Environment Agency report
Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU have fallen significantly
In 2023, EU countries emitted fewer greenhouse gases compared to the previous year. In its report, the European Environment Agency names the reasons for this – and explains where there is room for improvement.
Emissions of greenhouse gases in the EU fell sharply last year. According to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA), net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by eight percent in 2023 compared to the previous year. This is the largest annual decline in decades – with the exception of the Corona year 2020.
According to the EEA, the reduction in emissions is due to the significant decline in coal consumption in the EU as well as the expansion of renewable energies and the reduced electricity consumption of Europeans. The energy, industry and construction sectors in particular contributed significantly to the good result. The transport and agriculture sectors, however, still have some catching up to do when it comes to reducing emissions, according to the report by the EU authority based in Copenhagen.
The EU has set itself the goal of being climate neutral by 2050, i.e. emitting as many or fewer greenhouse gases as it absorbs. By 2030, emissions are expected to have fallen by 55 percent compared to 1990. According to the EEA report, the 2023 figure was 37 percent lower than in 1990.
dpa
Source: Stern
