Confirmed 2.1% decrease in EU emissions in 2018 is mainly due to energy sector, according to EEA

In 2018, EU28 greenhouse gas emissions (4,392 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent) fell by 2.1%, confirmed the European Environment Agency (EEA) in a report published on Friday 29 May analysing the latest official data and trends and drivers of emissions in the EU.

Two thirds of the reduction were achieved in the heat and power sector, where emissions from coal combustion decreased by almost 50 million tonnes, while the use of renewables in power generation continued to increase. After four consecutive years of increase, emissions from road transport remained stable in 2018.

According to the EEA, for every euro generated in the economy, the EU emitted 277 grams of CO₂ in 2018, compared to 582 grams of CO₂ per euro in 1990. Emissions have decreased in almost all economic sectors, particularly in energy supply, industry and the residential sector. In the transport sector, emissions have increased due to rising demand and despite climate policies and efforts to improve vehicle efficiency.

The EU reduced its emissions by 23.2% between 1990 and 2018 (12.2 tonnes CO₂ equivalent per citizen in 1990 compared to 8.9 tonnes CO₂ equivalent per citizen in 2018).

See EEA report: https://bit.ly/2ZPAEv9 (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)