According to new Eurostat data, the statistical office of the EU, greenhouse gas emissions in the EU fell by 4.0% in the first quarter of 2024, despite a stable GDP. Major declines were recorded in electricity and gas supply, as well as household emissions.

Greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union dropped by 4.0% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, according to Eurostat. The estimated emissions amounted to 894 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents, down from 931 million tonnes in Q1 2023. Despite this significant reduction, the EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) remained stable, growing slightly by 0.3%.

The electricity and gas supply sector led the decline with a 12.6% reduction in emissions, followed by households with a 4.4% decrease. Among the EU countries, Bulgaria, Germany, and Belgium showed the largest emission cuts at 15.2%, 6.7%, and 6.0%, respectively.

Interestingly, while 20 EU countries reduced their emissions, eight of them— including Germany, Austria, and Finland—also experienced a decline in GDP. The remaining 12, including France, Italy, and Sweden, managed to reduce emissions while growing their economies.

These quarterly estimates highlight the EU’s ongoing efforts to decouple economic growth from environmental impact, a trend of increasing relevance for industries focused on sustainability.