EU greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2019 to the lowest level in three decades

The Commission today adopted its annual progress report on EU climate action, which discusses the EU’s progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU-27 decreased by 3.7% year-on-year, while GDP grew by 1.5%. Emissions have now been reduced by 24% compared to 1990 levels.

Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President responsible for the European Green Deal, said: “The European Union is demonstrating that it is possible to reduce emissions and make it possible to
grow the economy. However, today’s report confirms once again that we must step up our efforts in all sectors of the economy to achieve our common goal of climate neutrality by 2050. The transition is viable if we remain committed and seize the opportunities of recovery to relaunch our economy in a greener and more resilient way, and create a healthy and sustainable future for all.”

Emissions covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) recorded the largest reduction in 2019, with a decrease of 9.1%, i.e. around 152 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt _CO2 equivalent), compared to 2018.

This fall had its origin mainly in the electricity sector, which reduced its emissions by almost 15%, mainly thanks to the replacement of the use of coal for heating by electricity from renewable sources and gas. Industry emissions decreased by about 2%. Verified aviation emissions, which currently only affect flights within the European Economic Area, continued to grow moderately, increasing by 1%, i.e. around 0.7 million tonnes of _CO2 equivalent compared to 2018. Emissions not covered by the EU ETS, such as those from non-EU ETS industry, transport, buildings, agriculture and waste, remained unchanged significantly from 2018 levels.

EU spending on climate action, which finances green technologies, the deployment of new solutions and international cooperation, increased in 2019 and will continue to do so in the context of the European recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

Revenues from EU ETS auctions are an increasingly important source of climate finance. Total revenues received by Member States, the UK and EEA countries from auctions between 2012 (the year of the eu ETS auction start) and mid-2020 exceeded €57 billion, half of which was generated in 2018 and 2019 alone. In 2019, total revenue from auctions exceeded €14.1 billion. Of this total, 77% will be used for climate and energy purposes, 7% above the 70% quota reported in 2018. In addition, an increasing number of EU-funded climate projects are financed by monetising allowances through the NER 300 programme, the Innovation Fund and the Modernisation Fund.

Context

The progress report on climate action ‘Kick-Starting the Journey Towards A Climate-Neutral Europe’ describes the progress made by the EU and its Member States in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reports on recent developments in EU climate policy. The Commission’s Directorate-General for Climate Action prepares the report on the basis of data submitted by Member States under the Regulation on a mechanism for monitoring climate developments (Regulation (EU) No 525/2013).

Source and More Information: European Commission