EU greenhouse gas emissions fall 0.6% in Q3 2024 despite economic growth

In the third quarter of 2024, the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 767 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), marking a 0.6% decline from the same period in 2023 (772 million tonnes CO2-eq), according to Eurostat data published today.

Despite the reduction in emissions, the EU economy grew, with GDP increasing by 1.3% year-over-year.

Key sectoral reductions:

Electricity and gas supply: -6.7%

Transportation and storage: -0.9%

Country-wise emission trends:

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 16 EU countries, with the largest reductions recorded in:

Austria: -7.8%

Hungary: -3.3%

Denmark: -2.8%

Among these, Hungary, Austria, Estonia, and Romania experienced a GDP decline, while the remaining 12 EU countries, including Malta, Spain, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, successfully reduced emissions while growing their economies.

Looking ahead:

Quarterly emissions estimates provide key insights into the EU’s progress in balancing economic growth with climate targets, reinforcing the importance of sustainable energy transitions and sectoral efficiency improvements.