EU Cuts Greenhouse Gas Emissions While Economy Grows

The European Union reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 17.2% between 2015 and 2025 while its economy grew by 17.5%, showing continued progress towards cleaner growth across Europe.

“Most sectors of the economy emitted less greenhouse gases than in 2015,” Eurostat said, highlighting the broad reductions achieved across energy, manufacturing, households and services.

Greenhouse gas emissions across the EU fell to an estimated 3.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent in 2025. The energy sector recorded the largest decline, with emissions dropping by 45.3%, followed by mining and quarrying at 33.3% and manufacturing at 16.0%. Household emissions fell by 14.7%, while 23 EU countries reduced their emissions over the decade. Estonia (-41.7%), Finland (-30.7%) and Germany (-27.3%) recorded the biggest decreases. Although emissions rose in construction and transport, and increased in four countries, the overall trend demonstrates that economic growth and lower emissions can progress together as the EU continues working towards its long-term climate targets.