The European Union’s energy sector led the way in reducing domestic EU net greenhouse gas emissions by 9% in 2023 compared to the year before according to the latest official EU data submitted by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to the United Nations. The drop represents the largest relative reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the EU since 1990 and further solidifies the EU’s progress to reduce its share of global emissions.
The official data submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) means that the total net greenhouse gas reduction (including LULUCF and excluding international aviation and maritime transport) between 1990 and 2023 in the EU reached -37%, or a decrease of 1,728 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2e).
The figures also confirm yet again that there has been a progressive decoupling between gross domestic product (GDP) and emissions, with GDP increasing by 70% and greenhouse gas emissions falling by 37% between 1990 and 2023 to the current level of 2,908 Mt CO2e.
2023 performance
The bulk of reductions occurred in the energy sector, in a context of lower total energy consumption in the EU in 2023. For the power sector alone, emissions decreased by 22% — the largest decrease in the EU of the past 33 years of inventory data since 1990. This was due to both a strong reduction in the consumption of coal and natural gas for electricity and heat generation as well as a significant increase in renewable energy consumption.
According to Eurostat data, the use of renewable energy increased significantly in 2023, mostly due to hydro, wind and solar (bioenergy consumption decreased in 2023).
Other key findings
- Between 1990 and 2023, emission reductions were largest for public electricity and heat production, manufacturing industries and construction, residential combustion, and iron and steel.
- The trend in greenhouse gas emissions over the 33-year period was driven by a variety of factors, including the growing share in the use of renewables, the use of less carbon intensive fossil fuels and improvements in energy efficiency, as well as to structural changes in the economy.
- These long-lasting changes have resulted in a lower energy intensity of the economy and in a lower carbon intensity of energy production and consumption in 2023 compared to 1990.
- Demand for energy to heat households has also been lower, as, besides better insulation standards in buildings, Europe on average has experienced milder winters since 1990, which has also helped reduce emissions.
- Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in most sectors between 1990 and 2023 except for transport, and refrigeration and air conditioning, where emissions increased due to stronger demand outpacing efficiency and technological improvements.
- In the forest and land sector, net removals decreased, and the negative trend accelerated in the past few years. The main reasons for the decrease in net removals include the aging of the forests, increased harvesting, and the negative impacts from climate change.
