Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
The indicator is part of the EU Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicator set. It is used to monitor progress towards Goal 13 on climate action; which is embedded in the European Commission’s Priorities under the European Green Deal. SDG 13 seeks to implement the commitment to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change for achieving a climate neutral world by mid-century to limit global warming to well below 2°C and aiming at 1.5°C (compared to pre-industrial times). It also aims to strengthen countries’ resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related natural hazards and the resulting disasters.
The European Climate Law sets out a framework for climate action and increases the EU’s ambition for 2030, with a new goal to reduce net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55 % by that year (compared to 1990) and to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050. The European Commission has also put in place a package of new and revised EU climate and energy legislation — the so called Fit for 55 package — to increase its ambition on climate mitigation. The package comprises an interconnected set of measures in the area of energy, transport, taxation and climate policies, and includes strengthened and expanded carbon pricing, targets, standards and support measures. It also sets a target for natural carbon sinks of 310 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents.
Furthermore, the NextGenerationEU recovery plan is the Union’s economic response to the COVID-19 crisis. It includes the Recovery and Resilience Facility worth EUR 672.5 billion, of which at least 37 % must go to climate action. Each national recovery and resilience plan will have to meet this target of a minimum of 37% of expenditure related to climate, and all reforms and investments by Member States as a part of the recovery fund must comply with the ’do-no-significant-harm’principle and therefore avoid significant negative impact on the EU’s climate and environmental objectives.
The new EU cohesion policy (2021 to 2027) includes a ‘greener, carbon-free Europe’ as one of its five main objectives receiving 65 % to 85 % of available funding together with an objective for a ‘smarter Europe’.
4.1. Data description
The indicator measures total national emissions (from both ESD and ETS sectors) including international aviation of the so called ‘Kyoto basket’ of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and the so-called F-gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, nitrogen triflouride (NF3) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)) from all sectors of the GHG emission inventories (including international aviation and indirect CO2). The indicator is presented in two forms: as net emissions including land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) as well as excluding LULUCF. Using each gas’ individual global warming potential (GWP), they are being integrated into a single indicator expressed in units of CO2 equivalents. The GHG emission inventories are submitted annually by the EU Member States to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Member States follow guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories when estimating emissions and removals of greenhouse gases to ensure transparency, accuracy, comparability, completeness, and consistency in reported data.
4.2. Unit of measure
Index 1990 = 100 and tonnes of CO2 equivalent per capita
4.3. Reference Period
Calendar year.
4.4. Accuracy - overall
Indicator from non-ESS source. For assessment of accuracy please refer to the original source (see link to external data source and metadata in section “Annexes”).
4.5. Source data
4.5.1. Source data - Organisation
EEA (UNFCCC reporting)
4.5.2. Source data - Comment
Data source: EEA, Reporting under United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC reporting)
Data provider: European Environment Agency (EEA), based on data from covered countries.
5.1. Frequency of dissemination
5.1.1. Frequency of dissemination - Grade
Every year
5.1.2. Frequency of dissemination - Comment
Indicator is updated annually.
5.2. Timeliness
5.2.1. Timeliness - Grade
T+2 years
5.2.2. Timeliness - Comment
New data points are disseminated within two years after the reference year.
6.1. Reference area
6.1.1. Reference Area - Grade
All EU MS
6.1.2. Reference Area - Comment
Data are presented for all EU Member States plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
6.2. Comparability - geographical
6.2.1. Comparability - geographical - Grade
All EU MS
6.2.2. Comparability - geographical - Comment
Data are comparable between all EU Member States respectively other presented countries. Comparability between Member States is one of the core reporting principles that the greenhouse gas inventory must adhere to.
6.3. Coverage - Time
6.3.1. Time Coverage - Grade
> 10 years
6.3.2. Time Coverage - Comment
Presented time series (including EU aggregates) starts in year 1990.
6.4. Comparability - over time
6.4.1. Comparability - over time - Grade
> 4 data points
6.4.2. Comparability - over time - Comment
Length of comparable time series without methodological break is longer than 4 data points. When Member States gain new scientific knowledge that cause a change of an estimate, then the Member State needs to recalculate the full time series back to 1990 using this knowledge, if applicable.
7.1. Dissemination format - Publications
Analysis of the indicator is presented in Eurostat's annual monitoring report on Sustainable development in the EU (progress towards SDGs in the EU context).
The indicator measures total national emissions (from both ESD and ETS sectors) including international aviation of the so called ‘Kyoto basket’ of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and the so-called F-gases (hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, nitrogen triflouride (NF3) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)) from all sectors of the GHG emission inventories (including international aviation and indirect CO2). The indicator is presented in two forms: as net emissions including land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) as well as excluding LULUCF. Using each gas’ individual global warming potential (GWP), they are being integrated into a single indicator expressed in units of CO2 equivalents. The GHG emission inventories are submitted annually by the EU Member States to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Member States follow guidelines from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories when estimating emissions and removals of greenhouse gases to ensure transparency, accuracy, comparability, completeness, and consistency in reported data.
13 May 2024
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Calendar year.
Indicator from non-ESS source. For assessment of accuracy please refer to the original source (see link to external data source and metadata in section “Annexes”).
Index 1990 = 100 and tonnes of CO2 equivalent per capita
