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In the fourth quarter of 2024, the EU economy greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 897 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), a 2.2% increase compared with the same quarter of 2023 (878 million tonnes of CO2-eq). The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) registered a 1.5% increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with the same quarter of 2023. 

This information comes from data on quarterly estimates for greenhouse gas emissions by economic activity published by Eurostat today. Quarterly estimates of greenhouse gas emissions complement quarterly socio-economic data, such as GDP or employment. This article presents the key findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on quarterly greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions by the economy and GDP in the EU, Q4 2021 - Q4 2024. Bar chart - Click below to see full dataset

Source datasets: env_ac_aigg_q and namq_10_gdp

The 2 economic sectors responsible for the largest increases between the quarters were households (+5.2%) and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (+4.6%). 

Greenhouse gas emissions down in 6 EU countries 

In the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions was estimated for 6 EU countries when compared with the same quarter of 2023. 

The largest reductions in greenhouse gases were estimated for Estonia (-11.3%), Finland (-6.1%) and Sweden (-2.3%).
Out of those 6 EU countries, 2 also recorded a decline in their GDP (Latvia and Austria). The other 4 EU countries (Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg) were estimated to have decreased emissions while growing their GDP.

Growth rates of greenhouse gas emissions by the economy and GDP in the EU, Q4 2024. Bar chart - Click below to see full dataset

Source datasets: env_ac_aigg_q and namq_10_gdp

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Methodological notes

  • Metadata on quarterly greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The figures in this news item are non-seasonally adjusted. Progress is measured against the same quarter in the previous year, to avoid the interference of seasonal effects.
  • The data presented here are estimates by Eurostat, except for the Netherlands and Spain, which provided their own estimates. Eurostat’s methodology differs from the United Nations’ (UN) rules, particularly by attributing international transport emissions to individual countries. Eurostat estimates include these emissions in each country’s total, following the international System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA) standard.
  • As parties to the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, the EU and the EU countries report annually on their greenhouse gas emissions to the UN. The so-called ‘Kyoto basket’ of greenhouse gases includes carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases. They are expressed in a common unit, CO2-equivalents. EU countries are required to monitor their emissions of these gases for all source sectors based on internationally agreed obligations and rules. The EU greenhouse gas inventory managed by the European Environment Agency covers emissions from 1990 to 2 years before the current year and is submitted to the UN each spring after quality checks. According to the European Climate Law, the EU’s climate target is to achieve a -55% net reduction by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.

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