EU's greenhouse gas emissions decrease in Q4 2022: Slovenia with the largest emission reductions
23 Maj 2023
According to recent findings by Eurostat, greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union (EU) witnessed a 4 % decline in the fourth quarter of 2022, accompanied by economic growth. Slovenia was identified as the Member State with the largest emissions decrease of -15.7%.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, the EU witnessed a 4 % decrease in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the same quarter in 2021. This reduction in emissions coincided with a 1.5 % increase in the EU's gross domestic product (GDP). Notably, compared to the pre-pandemic fourth quarter of 2019, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU decreased by 6%.
The economic sectors contributing the most to greenhouse gas emissions were manufacturing and households (each with 21%), followed by electricity and gas supply (20%), agriculture (13%), and transportation and storage (11%).
Emissions decreased in six out of nine economic sectors, ranging from -0.3% in the water supply, sewerage, waste management; and construction sectors to -9.7% in the electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply sector. However, emissions increased in the sectors of transportation and storage (+7.0%), services (except transport and storage) (+1.6%), and mining and quarrying (+1.0%).
We are happy to note that Slovenia experienced the largest reduction in emissions among the EU member states, with a reduction of -15.9%. While emissions decreased in most EU countries, Ireland, Latvia, Malta, and Denmark experienced an increase.
Out of the 23 EU countries that achieved a decrease in emissions, only five (Estonia, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Finland, and Sweden) saw a decrease in their GDP. This clearly demonstrates that we can foster economic prosperity while prioritizing environmental responsibility.
This article is based on Eurostat findings which are available here.
