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In 2023, the greenhouse gas footprint of goods and services consumed in the EU amounted to 9.0 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents per capita, down approximately 1 tonne compared with 2022 (10.0 tonnes). 

This indicator considers emissions generated throughout the production chains of products consumed in the EU, regardless of where they occur and therefore includes emissions embedded in imported goods and services.

Among EU countries, the lowest greenhouse gas footprints were recorded in Portugal (6.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalents per capita), Bulgaria (6.8 tonnes) and Sweden and Romania (each 6.9 tonnes). 

By contrast, the highest footprints per capita were recorded in Cyprus (14.8 tonnes), Ireland (14.0 tonnes) and Luxembourg (12.7 tonnes).

Greenhouse gas footprint by country, 2023. Bar chart - Click below to see full dataset.

Source dataset: cli_gge_foot

EU production emissions lower than the greenhouse gas footprint

In 2023, the total greenhouse gas footprint of all goods and services consumed in the EU reached 4.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents. At the same time, emissions generated by production in the EU amounted to 3.3 billion tonnes. 

Both consumption and production-based greenhouse gas emissions decreased from 2013 to 2023, by 12.9% and 18.6%, respectively. However, in 2020, there was a sharp drop in emissions due to the pandemic but by 2023, the greenhouse gas consumption emissions were at the same level as in 2020, while the production-based emissions had further declined by 3.5%.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU by production and consumption perspective, 2013-2023. Line chart - Click below to see full dataset.

Source dataset: cli_gge_foot

For more information

Methodological notes 

  • Greenhouse gas emissions can be viewed from 3 complementary perspectives. These are emissions from production within the EU economy (accounts), emissions from the EU’s geographic territory (inventories), and emissions related to EU consumption (footprints). This article highlights the consumption and production perspective.
  • Consumption perspective, or footprints, account for emissions associated with the final consumption of goods and services in the EU, regardless of where those emissions occur along the global production chain. This is significant for the EU, which imports many of the goods and services used in its economy, while exporting a substantial share of its domestic production. Consumption-based emissions are not directly observable, so statistics must be modelled.
  • Production perspective, or accounts, represent emissions generated by economic activities and households residing in the EU, including emissions from international transport operated by EU-based entities. Production-based greenhouse gas emissions are directly observable, and Eurostat uses air emissions accounts to estimate them. 

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