The European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped by 3% between 2023 and 2024, achieving a total reduction of 40% from 1990 levels, as reported by official EU data to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and a European Environment Agency (EEA) analysis released today. The EEA prepared and submitted the EU greenhouse gas inventory to the UN body on 15 April.
Over 34 years, the EU’s net domestic emissions declined due to renewable energy expansion, using less carbon-intensive fossil fuels, enhanced energy efficiency, and structural economic shifts, according to an EEA briefing analyzing emissions data. Nearly all Member States contributed to reducing emissions.
Key trends and drivers
The most significant absolute reductions were in electricity and heat production, manufacturing and construction, residential combustion, and iron & steel sectors (including energy-related emissions).
Despite more efficient and electric vehicles, road transport emissions for passenger and freight modes increased as demand growth outpaced efficiency gains.
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions from refrigeration and air conditioning rose from 1990 to 2014 but have decreased for ten consecutive years due to the EU’s F-gas phase-down and recent phase-out measures.
Forest carbon net removals weakened mainly due to aging forests (lower annual increment), increased harvesting, and climate impacts.
Energy sector as the main driver of emission reductions
Significant reductions came from electricity and heat production and residential and industrial sectors. Since 1990, emissions from electricity and heat production fell 58%, reflecting efficiency gains and a shift to lower-carbon fuels. From 1990 to 2024, thermal power station use of solid and liquid fuels dropped by 68% and 86%, respectively, while natural gas use increased by 44% (though emissions fell nearly 18% since 2022). Coal consumption in 1990 was over three times the 2024 level.
Renewables’ share in electricity and heat generation has grown significantly, with declining CO2 per unit of fossil energy produced.
The residential sector saw large reductions due to better building insulation, improved efficiency, and warmer winters, reducing space-heating demand.
Policy contribution
EU and Member State policies drove much of the decline: agricultural and environmental measures from the 1990s and climate and energy policies since 2005, notably the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and national measures for non-ETS sectors.
For more information
Please note: The greenhouse gas inventory’s net domestic emissions do not include emissions from international aviation or navigation. They are not directly comparable with the European Climate Law emission reduction target for 2030 (net 55%), as the latter includes some emissions from international aviation and navigation.
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