- Significant Reduction: EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell by 8.3% in 2023, one of the largest non-pandemic-related declines in decades.
- Renewable Energy Surge: Renewable energy now accounts for nearly 45% of EU electricity, driven by substantial increases in wind and solar production.
- Sector-Wide Reductions: Emissions in power and industrial sectors decreased by a record 16.5%, with notable declines across buildings, agriculture, and transport.
In a significant environmental milestone, net GHG emissions across the EU dropped by 8.3% in 2023, according to a new report by the European Commission. This decrease represents one of the largest declines since 1990, outside of the COVID-19-induced drop of 9.8% in 2020.
The report highlights a notable 24% year-over-year reduction in emissions from electricity production and heating. “A substantial increase in renewable electricity production (primarily wind and solar) and gas replacing coal,” the report states, has positioned renewable energy as the primary electricity source in the EU, now accounting for nearly 45% of total production.
The shift to renewables also led to a nearly 20% reduction in electricity generated from fossil fuels in 2023. With the European Climate Law adopted in 2021, the EU set legally binding targets to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% GHG reduction by 2030, relative to 1990 levels. This ambitious climate agenda, supported by the “Fit-for-55” package, targets emission reductions across key sectors.
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In terms of progress, the report notes that net emissions in the EU are now 37% below 1990 levels, even as GDP grew by 68% over the same period, signaling a strong decoupling of economic growth from emissions.
Across other sectors, emissions from power and industrial installations covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) decreased by a record 16.5% in 2023, with building sector emissions falling by 5.5%, agricultural emissions by 2%, and transport emissions by less than 1%. However, aviation emissions increased by 9.5%, a reminder of the sector’s growing environmental challenge.
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate Action, said:
“The EU is leading the way in the clean transition, with another year of strong greenhouse gas emission reductions in 2023. The EU now represents 6% of global emissions. As we head off soon to COP29, we once again demonstrate to our international partners that it is possible to take climate action and invest in growing our economy at the same time. Sadly, the report also shows that our work must continue, at home and abroad, as we are seeing the harm that climate change is causing our citizens.”
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