Total greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union 1990-2021

Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union were 3.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2021. This was an increase of five percent from the COVID-19 induced slump in 2020. Nevertheless, EU GHG emissions remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

The EU’s largest polluters

Despite emissions reductions of 40 percent since 2005, the energy supply sector is the largest contributor to EU GHG emissions, having emitted 902 MtCO₂e in 2021. Transportation and Industry followed. In terms of member states, Germany is by far the largest polluter in the EU.

EU targets and measures to reduce emissions

EU GHG emissions have fallen by roughly 30 percent since 1990, aided by the implementation of several policies and measures, such as EU-ETS. However, the bloc still has some way to go to achieve its climate targets of cutting emissions by 55 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.