The European Union (EU) achieved a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which were estimated at 894 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), marking a 4 per cent decrease in the first quarter (Q1) of 2024 compared to the same quarter in 2023, according to data published by Eurostat. This decline in emissions occurred despite the EU's gross domestic product (GDP) remaining stable, with a slight increase of 0.3 per cent during the same period.

The sectors contributing the most to the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions were electricity and gas supply, which saw a substantial decrease of 12.6 per cent, and households, which recorded a 4.4 per cent reduction in emissions compared to the first quarter of 2023.

The report also highlighted that greenhouse gas emissions decreased in 20 EU member states during the first quarter of 2024, when compared to the same period in 2023. The most significant reductions were observed in Bulgaria (minus 15.2 per cent), Germany (minus 6.7 per cent), and Belgium (minus 6.0 per cent), as per Eurostat.

Among the 20 EU countries that reduced their emissions, eight also experienced a decline in GDP. These countries include Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, and Finland. However, 12 other EU nations managed to reduce their emissions while simultaneously growing their GDP. These countries include Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden, and Croatia.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)