Brussels, Belgium. Greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union fell again in 2024, while Cyprus recorded a sharp reduction in emissions relative to economic output, according to new Eurostat data. Eurostat said the EU economy generated 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents in 2024.
EU emissions and longer-term trend
Eurostat reported on Friday that the 2024 total marked a 1 per cent decline compared with 2023 and a 20 per cent reduction compared with 2013, reflecting longer-term structural changes across the bloc.
Cyprus emissions intensity
For Cyprus, the data showed that greenhouse gas emissions intensity fell by 28.9 per cent between 2013 and 2024, placing the country among those that achieved a substantial decoupling of economic growth from emissions.
EU emissions intensity and definition
At EU level, greenhouse gas emissions intensity declined by 34 per cent over the same period, as emissions fell while gross value added increased. Eurostat said emissions intensity measures the amount of greenhouse gases per euro of gross value added, serving as an indicator of the climate efficiency of economic production.
Gross value added and efficiency gains
Eurostat said a lower emissions intensity means fewer emissions are generated for the same level of economic output, highlighting improvements in efficiency and energy use. Between 2013 and 2024, the EU’s gross value added rose by 20 per cent while total greenhouse gas emissions declined, driving the overall reduction in emissions intensity.
Energy sector decline
Among all economic activities, the energy sector recorded the sharpest and largest decline in emissions, cutting output by 49 per cent over the period. In absolute terms, energy supply emissions fell by 512 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents, covering electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning activities.
How do changes in emissions intensity affect your understanding of economic growth and climate efficiency?
