2.2% Increase in Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the EU Economy During the Fourth Quarter of 2024

In the fourth quarter of 2024, the economic growth of the European Union has had a direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions. It is estimated that emissions reached 897 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2-eq), marking a 2.2% increase compared to the same period the previous year. During this period, the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.5%, which raises a dilemma between economic growth and environmental sustainability.

The data, coming from Eurostat, adds to a series of socioeconomic reports that help to better understand the economic health of the region. Emissions are a key indicator of the environmental impact derived from economic activities and reflect diverse trends in different countries within the bloc.

Among the sectors that contributed most to this increase are households, which saw a 5.2% rise, and the provision of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning, which reported a 4.6% increase. This suggests that the link between economic development and emissions is complex and needs to be analyzed more deeply.

However, some member countries experienced a decline in their emissions. Estonia, Finland, and Sweden stood out with reductions of 11.3%, 6.1%, and 2.3%, respectively. Interestingly, of these countries, only Latvia and Austria reported a decrease in their GDP, while the others, including Estonia, Finland, and Sweden, managed to reduce their emissions without sacrificing economic growth.

This data opens up space for reflection on how sustainable development is possible, where economic growth does not necessarily imply an increase in emissions. This issue is particularly relevant given the framework of European commitments aimed at reducing greenhouse gases. The current situation raises questions about the policies that should be implemented in the future to balance economic prosperity and environmental health in the region.