The economy of the European Union has taken a notable step towards sustainability by recording a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions during the second quarter of 2025. Emissions reached an estimated 772 million tons of CO2-equivalents, representing a decrease of 0.4% compared to the 775 million tons from the same period in 2024. This decline comes in the context of a 1.3% growth in the region’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The data, provided by Eurostat, not only reflect emissions based on economic activity, but also offer a clearer view of the EU’s socioeconomic status, including employment and other key indicators. The sectors that contributed the most to the emission reduction were electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, with a 2.9% decrease. Manufacturing and transportation also showed improvements, albeit more modest, with decreases of 0.4%. However, the household sector experienced a 1.0% increase in emissions, showing the complexity of changes in different areas of the economy.
At the country level, a diverse landscape was observed. In total, 14 countries saw increases in their emissions, while 12 managed to reduce them, and Estonia maintained stable figures. Slovenia led the declines with a 8.9% decrease, followed by the Netherlands and Finland, with reductions of 5.9% and 4.2%, respectively. Interestingly, out of the 12 countries that decreased their emissions, three also saw their GDP decrease, suggesting that emissions reductions and economic growth are not always compatible.
On the other hand, nine countries such as Denmark and France managed to reduce their emissions while experiencing positive economic growth. This situation raises questions about the strategies implemented by different nations to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental sustainability.
The trend towards emission reduction coupled with robust economic growth indicates a significant shift in sustainability policies within the European Union, suggesting the beginning of a new stage in the fight against climate change.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish