However, compared to the pre-pandemic third quarter of 2019, EU greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 4 per cent, indicating progress towards the bloc's climate goals. Most EU countries saw both GDP and emissions grow, but some countries managed to reduce emissions while growing their economy, as per Eurostat.

The sectors with the highest emissions in Q3 2022 were manufacturing (23 per cent), electricity, gas supply (21 per cent), households and agriculture (both 14 per cent), followed by transportation and storage (13 per cent).

The increase in emissions in Q3 2022 was not uniform across the EU, as 16 of the 27 member states recorded a rise in emissions, with Ireland (17 per cent), Estonia, and Malta (both 8 per cent) showing the largest increases, while Lithuania (6 per cent), Slovakia, and the Netherlands (both 5 per cent) had the largest decreases.

The EU aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, compared to 1990 levels and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)