Germany has consistently produced the most carbon dioxide emissions in the European Union. In 2023, Europe's largest economy emitted nearly 572 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This was slightly more than the combined emissions produced by the next largest emitters in the EU – Italy and Poland. Combined, these three countries accounted for roughly half of EU carbon dioxide emissions in 2023.
Carbon footprints
Although Luxembourg is one of the lowest overall carbon polluters in the EU, the country's per capita GHG emissions are the highest throughout the bloc, at 14.5 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per capita. This is roughly twice the EU average. There are multiple reasons for this, such as a high car ownership rate, and fuel-tourism from neighboring countries due to low prices.
Emission reduction targets
As part of the EU's Effort Sharing Regulation, member states will collectively contribute to EU-level emission reductions of 40 percent in 2030, relative to 2005 levels. The ESR establishes binding GHG emissions targets for each member state. These targets vary greatly, with wealthier countries typically having higher targets. Germany, for example, will need to cut its emissions by 50 percent by 2030, relative to 2005 levels.
Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country
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2023
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According to the source, the carbon emissions in this statistic reflect only those through consumption of oil, gas and coal, and are based on standard global average conversion factors. This does not allow for any carbon that is sequestered, for other sources of carbon emissions, or for emissions of other greenhouse gases.
This statistic was compiled using several releases of the publication. Figures were restated based on the latest edition of the report.
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Energy Institute. (June 20, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. "Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country (in million metric tons)." Chart. June 20, 2024. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Energy in The European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by Country (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Jun 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/
Energy Institute, Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions from energy in the European Union in 2000, 2010 and 2023, by country (in million metric tons) [Graph], Energy Institute, June 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1171389/co2-emissions-european-union/