In 2020, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels (mainly oil and oil products, coal, peat and natural gas) decreased by 10% in the European Union compared to the previous year, according to data published by Eurostat, the EU’s statistical office, on Friday 7 May.
This is due to a significant reduction in fossil fuel consumption in all EU Member States in 2020, the year in which the Covid-19 pandemic containment measures were introduced.
In addition, the share of renewables (in particular wind, hydro and solar) in electricity generation has increased considerably, says Eurostat.
While emissions from energy use have decreased in all EU Member States, Eurostat data show significant differences between countries.
Greece (-18.7%), Estonia (-18.1%), Luxembourg (-17.9%), Spain (-16.2%) and Denmark (-14.8%) were the countries where emissions fell most. The smallest decreases were observed in Malta (-1.0%), Hungary (-1.7%), Ireland and Lithuania (both -2.6%).
See the data: https://bit.ly/3uAEHs0 (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)