In the fourth quarter of 2024, the EU economy greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 897 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq), a 2.2% increase compared with the same quarter of 2023 (878 million tonnes of CO2-eq). The EU’s gross domestic product (GDP) registered a 1.5% increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with the same quarter of 2023.

This information comes from data on quarterly estimates for greenhouse gas emissions by economic activity published by Eurostat today. Quarterly estimates of greenhouse gas emissions complement quarterly socio-economic data, such as GDP or employment. This article presents the key findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on quarterly greenhouse gas emissions.

The 2 economic sectors responsible for the largest increases between the quarters were households (+5.2%) and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (+4.6%).

In the fourth quarter of 2024, a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions was estimated for 6 EU countries when compared with the same quarter of 2023.

The largest reductions in greenhouse gases were estimated for Estonia (-11.3%), Finland (-6.1%) and Sweden (-2.3%).

Out of those 6 EU countries, 2 also recorded a decline in their GDP (Latvia and Austria). The other 4 EU countries (Estonia, Finland, Sweden and Luxembourg) were estimated to have decreased emissions while growing their GDP.