Status: 08/16/2022 3:27 p.m
The EU countries are producing almost as much greenhouse gases as before the outbreak of the corona pandemic. In Germany, too, emissions are increasing again. Two countries, however, are seeing falling emissions.
In the EU countries, the amount of greenhouse gases emitted has almost reached the level before the corona pandemic. In the quarterly balance of the European statistical authority Eurostat, however, Germany remains below the EU-wide increase in emissions.
A total of 1029 million tonnes of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases were emitted in all EU countries from the beginning of the year to the end of March. For comparison: In 2019 – i.e. before the outbreak of the corona pandemic in the EU – there were 1035 million tons in the same period. In the Corona years 2020 and 2021, the amount of greenhouse gases across the EU in the first three months was seven and six percent lower than in the current quarter.
Two EU countries can reduce emissions
Looking at the individual EU member states, Bulgaria recorded the most significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions in a comparison of the first two quarters of 2021 and 2022. According to Eurostat, these rose by 38 percent. This is followed by Malta with 21 percent and Ireland with an increase of 20 percent. In only two countries were the emissions of climate-damaging gases lower in a quarterly comparison: the Netherlands recorded a minus of nine percent and Finland reduced its emissions by one percent.
In Germany, more greenhouse gases have been in the air since the beginning of the year than in the same period last year – the amount increased by 2.5 percent compared to the first quarter of 2021.
Households produce the most greenhouse gases
According to Eurostat, households are and will remain the largest producer of greenhouse gases. They were responsible for the most emissions in the first quarter of last year and in the first quarter of this year, at around 24 percent. Next comes energy and power supply, which accounts for around 21 percent of the total amount of emissions.
Economy is starting up again
Eurostat sees the reason for the increase in emitted greenhouse gases in the fact that many corona measures have now been lifted and industry and trade can resume operations without restrictions. In the fourth quarter of last year, the amount of emissions had already reached the pre-corona level again for the first time.
Compared to the first quarter of 2021, emissions of greenhouse gases increased primarily in the transport sector and storage in the first three months of this year: the increase here was around 21 percent. In mining and construction, too, emissions rose again significantly in the same period, at 15 percent and 11 percent, respectively.