Contributions of fuels and sectors to overall EU GHG Emission Reduction (1990–2023)

The percentages shown represent the reduction in the total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions relative to 1990 levels linked to the specific drivers. For example, the reduction in GHG related to solid fossil fuels between 1990 and 2023 led to a decrease of the total GHG emissions with 22%. The emission reductions linked to fossil fuels encompass all energy-related emissions, including energy use in energy supply, transport, industry, and buildings. CO2 emissions from biomass, reported by Member States as memo items in their GHG inventories, are shown in parallel.

Units

Percentage point reduction compared to total 1990 emissions (ECL scope)

Additional information

In addition to the fossil fuels, biomass combustion has become a significant source of energy supply in the EU (dominant within renewable heat and present in the power mix). CO₂ emissions from combusting biomass for energy are reported as zero in the energy sector in the GHG inventories, according to the IPCC guidelines, and excluded from national totals—because associated carbon (related to biomass growth and harvest) is accounted for in LULUCF sector. Countries (including EU Member States) still report the CO₂ from biomass combustion as a “memo” item. These reported data show that biomass use has increased substantially over the past decades: memo-item biomass emissions in 2023 were more than 2.5 times higher than in 1990.

Contributions of fuels and sectors to overall EU GHG Emission Reduction (1990–2023)

Related content

References and footnotes