Greenhouse gas emissions reduced by 8.7% in the EU in 2019

The European Commission reports that emissions of greenhouse gases from all operators covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) reduced overall by 8.7% in 2019. Compared to 2018, there was an approximate 9% decrease in emissions from stationary installations, such as power plants and manufacturing installations, and a 1% increase of emissions from aviation, including all commercial aircraft operators and non-commercial aircraft operators with significant emissions.

Emissions from industry saw an overall decrease of 2%, with reductions in most sectors including the production of iron and steel, cement, chemicals and refineries. The biggest reduction was achieved in the power sector, with a decrease of 15% reflecting decarbonisation from coal being replaced by electricity from renewables and gas-fired power production.

Source: European Commission, May 2020