EU Achieves 8.3% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in 2023

Net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the EU fell by 8.3% in 2023, according to a new report released by the European Commission. This marks one of the largest declines in decades, with the exception of a 9.8% COVID-19-driven drop in 2020 (which was followed by a 4.8% increase the following year), and a significant acceleration from the 3% reduction in 2022.

Among the top achievements highlighted in the report is a 24% year-over-year reduction in emissions from electricity production and heating, driven by “a substantial increase in renewable electricity production (primarily wind and solar) and gas replacing coal.” Renewable energy is now the leading source of electricity in the EU, accounting for nearly 45% of electricity production. Additionally, electricity generated from fossil fuels decreased by nearly 20% in 2023 compared to the prior year.

The publication, the Commission’s 2024 Climate Action Progress Report, outlines the progress made towards the EU’s emission reduction targets and sets out key achievements and recent developments in the fight against climate change.

The EU adopted the European climate law in 2021, setting into legislation the goal to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The climate law is a centerpiece of the European Green Deal, the EU strategy to transform the region into a modern, resource-efficient, and competitive economy. In addition to the 2050 goal, the law set the binding target for a 55% GHG emissions reduction by 2030, relative to 1990, which has been followed by a broad set of “Fit-for-55” laws and regulations aimed at addressing emissions across carbon-intensive sectors, including expanding and tightening the Emission Trading System (EU ETS).

The EU is now looking to set a 2040 target, with the Commission recently recommending a 90% GHG emissions reduction. The Commission has also outlined an estimate for the investments that would be needed to achieve the recommended 2040 target, including €660 billion annually in the energy system and €870 billion per year in the transport sector. Key areas of investment will focus on the decarbonization of industrial processes, improvements in energy efficiency in energy-intensive industries, a shift towards electrification, and the production of sustainable alternative fuels for the transport sector.

Overall, the new report found that net GHG emissions in the EU are now 37% lower than 1990 levels, compared with 68% GDP growth over the same period, and that the EU is on track to reach its 55% 2030 goal.

Across other key sectors, the report found that emissions from power and industrial installations covered by the EU ETS fell by a record 16.5% in 2023. Emissions from the building sector fell by 5.5%, agricultural emissions fell by 2%, and transport emissions declined by less than 1%, while aviation emissions increased by 9.5%.

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.”