Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 8% last year and are now 37% lower than 1990 levels.
The encouraging figures were published in the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Trends and projections in Europe 2024 report.
The steep decline is one of the biggest year-on-year reductions in greenhouse gas emissions ever recorded in Europe. Decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, in particular coal, is the largest driver of this trend: Emissions of greenhouse gases in the energy supply sector have dropped by more than 50%.
The report also found that Europeans are now more energy efficient. Primary energy use (the total energy demand) has reduced by 19% since 2005, and final energy consumption (the total energy consumed by end users) is down by 11% over the same period.
Europeans “have no choice but to strengthen our resilience to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” said EEA executive director Leena Ylä-Mononen.
EU countries have committed to become climate neutral by 2050. This will, according to the report, require clear and predictable policies beyond 2030.
