In the fourth quarter of 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from the EU economy were estimated at 897 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalents (CO 2 -eq), a decrease of 4.0% compared to the same quarter of 2022 (935 million tonnes of CO 2 -eq ). The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) remained stable, recording only a slight increase (0.2% in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the same quarter in 2022). Eurostat reported this.
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the economic sectors responsible for the largest reductions compared to the fourth quarter of 2022 were electricity and gas supply (-17.2%) and manufacturing (-3.1%). Household emissions remained more or less stable.
Greenhouse gas emissions falling in 22 EU countries
Greenhouse gas emissions are estimated to have decreased in 22 EU countries in the fourth quarter of 2023, compared to the same quarter in 2022.
The largest greenhouse gas reductions are estimated for Estonia (-23.0%), Bulgaria (-17.0%) and Finland (-9.0%).
Of the 22 EU members estimated to have reduced their emissions, 10 also recorded a decline in GDP (Estonia, Finland, Sweden, Germany, Austria, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Luxembourg). Hungary has kept GDP at the same level by reducing emissions. The other 11 EU countries (Bulgaria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Italy, Spain, France, Poland, Portugal, Romania and Croatia) are estimated to have managed to reduce emissions while increasing their GDP.
Increases in emissions are estimated for Malta (+7.7%), Slovenia (+5.6%), Cyprus (+2.3%), Slovakia (1.7%) and Greece (+0.3%). At the same time, all 5 recorded an increase in GDP: Malta (+4.3%), Slovenia (+2.2%), Cyprus (+2.1%), Slovakia (+2.2%) and Greece ( +1.1%).
