Market news, 20 February 2025
EU Greenhouse Gas Footprint Reaches 10.7 Tonnes Per Capita in 2022
Date:
23 February 2025
In 2022, the greenhouse gas footprint of goods and services consumed in the European Union (EU) was 10.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) equivalents per capita, according to recent data. This measurement includes emissions from the entire production chain of products consumed in the EU, including those embedded in imported goods and services.
Among EU member states, Sweden recorded the lowest greenhouse gas footprint per capita at 7.9 tonnes, followed by Portugal and Romania at 8.0 tonnes each. In contrast, the highest footprints were observed in Cyprus (16.6 tonnes), Luxembourg (15.5 tonnes), and Ireland (14.2 tonnes).
Between 2010 and 2022, both consumption-based and production-based greenhouse gas emissions declined by 14% and 18%, respectively. A sharp drop occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but emissions have since rebounded. By 2022, the greenhouse gas footprint had increased by 12% compared to 2020, while production-based emissions rose by 4%. Despite this rise, emissions in 2022 remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with consumption-based emissions down by 1% and production-based emissions by 6%.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges of reducing the EU’s overall carbon footprint, particularly in relation to imported goods and services.
Source
Among EU member states, Sweden recorded the lowest greenhouse gas footprint per capita at 7.9 tonnes, followed by Portugal and Romania at 8.0 tonnes each. In contrast, the highest footprints were observed in Cyprus (16.6 tonnes), Luxembourg (15.5 tonnes), and Ireland (14.2 tonnes).
EU’s Consumption Footprint Exceeds Production Emissions
The total greenhouse gas footprint of EU consumption in 2022 reached 4.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. However, emissions generated by production activities within the EU were lower, totaling 3.6 billion tonnes. This suggests that a significant portion of the EU’s carbon footprint comes from imported goods and services.Between 2010 and 2022, both consumption-based and production-based greenhouse gas emissions declined by 14% and 18%, respectively. A sharp drop occurred in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but emissions have since rebounded. By 2022, the greenhouse gas footprint had increased by 12% compared to 2020, while production-based emissions rose by 4%. Despite this rise, emissions in 2022 remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2019, with consumption-based emissions down by 1% and production-based emissions by 6%.
These figures highlight the ongoing challenges of reducing the EU’s overall carbon footprint, particularly in relation to imported goods and services.
Source
