In the first quarter of 2024, EU greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 894 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), marking a 4.0% decrease compared to the same period in 2023 (931 million tonnes). The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) saw a slight increase of 0.3% during this time.

This data, published by Eurostat, offers quarterly estimates of greenhouse gas emissions alongside socio-economic indicators like GDP and employment. In the first quarter of 2024, the largest reductions in emissions were seen in the electricity and gas supply sector (-12.6%) and households (-4.4%).

Greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 20 EU countries during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Bulgaria (-15.2%), Germany (-6.7%), and Belgium (-6.0%) recorded the largest decreases. Of these 20 countries, 8 also saw a decline in GDP, including Germany and Czechia, while the remaining 12, such as Spain, Italy, and France, managed to reduce emissions while growing their GDP.

The data is based on estimates by Eurostat, except for the Netherlands, which provided its own. Eurostat’s methodology for estimating emissions differs from UN reporting, particularly regarding the inclusion of international transport emissions. The EU’s climate target is a 55% reduction in emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050, in line with the European Climate Law.

EU countries report emissions annually under international obligations, covering seven greenhouse gases across sectors like energy, industrial processes, and waste. These reports are submitted to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

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