a clear drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023

The European Commission welcomed on Thursday a significant drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 in the Union, -8.3% compared to the previous year, even if Europe remains engaged in a racing against time to achieve its ambitious climate goals. “This is the largest annual decline in decades, with the exception of 2020, when Covid-19 caused” a drop in emissions of 9.8%, noted Brussels, which highlights the development of renewable energies.

The fourth largest emitter on the planet, Europe is an exception with this substantial reduction, in a world where emissions continue to increase overall. In the top three in terms of greenhouse gases, emissions increased by a further 6.1% in India in 2023 and by 5.2% in China, while the United States recorded a very slight decrease of 1 .4%, according to a recent UN report.

For the European Union, net greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 37% compared to 1990, the European Environment Agency (EEA) said on Thursday. The Commission sees this as a sign that the Union “remains on track to meet its commitment to reduce its emissions by at least 55% by 2030”. In its report, the European Environment Agency is much more cautious. As it currently stands, the EEA expects a reduction in emissions of 43% in 2030 compared to 1990. And Europe will be able to get closer to the target objective, if 22 Member States put in place additional measures that ‘they promised but not yet fulfilled. These measures “would allow” to approach the European objective and reduce EU net emissions by 49% in 2030, underlines the EEA.

Increase in air transport emissions

According to the European Commission, the drop in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 can be explained in particular by the development of wind turbines and solar panels, the “transition away from coal” and energy savings. Emissions from electricity production and heating have thus fallen by 24% compared to 2022. In 2023, renewables represented 44.7% of electricity production within the European Union, thanks to a increase of 12.4% in gigawatts (GW) produced compared to last year.

Fossil fuels (-19.7% of GW) still accounted for 32.5% of the Union’s electricity. Nuclear electricity production increased slightly (+1.2%) and represented 22.8% of the total. In overall energy consumption, beyond electricity alone, the share of renewables increased from 10.2% in 2005 to 24% in 2023. The energy mix, however, varies greatly depending on the European country. Emissions from the aviation sector also increased by 9.5% in Europe, continuing their post-Covid trend.

Carbon neutrality objective in 2050

The Commission insisted on Thursday on the “catastrophic events” linked to global warming, including the deadly floods this week in the south-east of Spain. Brussels aims to achieve climate neutrality in 2050. One of the first tasks of Ursula von der Leyen’s new team, which is due to take office at the beginning of December, will be to negotiate the 2040 objective, for which the Commission recommends a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990.

But the right, the main force in the European Parliament, is worried about the burden that such an effort could represent for households and businesses and views this figure with caution. The 90% drop in emissions in 2040 is “extremely ambitious”. “We need to discuss with stakeholders to see if it is feasible”has already warned EPP MEP Peter Liese. The surge of the populist right in the last European elections also makes NGOs fear an unraveling of the EU’s environmental ambitions.