Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in the European Union fell by 34% between 2005 and 2022. Estimates for 2023 indicate that a further reduction of emissions from fossil fuel used in buildings was achieved last year. This progress was driven by higher energy efficiency standards for new buildings, efficiency improvements in existing buildings, measures to decarbonise the electricity sector and heating systems, and warmer temperatures. Over the longer term, the trend toward declining emissions from the buildings sector is expected to continue.

Figure 1. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings in Europe

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The buildings sector is a key contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU, representing 34% of energy-related emissions in 2022. These emissions result partly from the direct use of fossil fuels in buildings (e.g. oil and gas used in boilers for heating) and from the production of electricity and heat for use in buildings (e.g. electricity consumed by water heaters, lighting, electrical devices, cooling systems, etc).

The European Green Deal and the Renovation Wave initiative place a strong emphasis on reductions in GHG emissions and energy use from buildings. A revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive was adopted in 2024. It further addresses needs for energy efficiency improvements in Europe's building stock, decarbonisation of heating systems and development of solar rooftop systems.

Between 2005 and 2022, total GHG emissions, including both direct and indirect emissions, from the EU buildings sector fell by 34%. This trend was largely driven by the EU decarbonisation strategy which is reflected in different legislations. It promotes simultaneous end-user electrification in the residential sector, decarbonisation of the electricity and heating/cooling sectors, and improvements of energy efficiency in buildings.

A general trend toward warmer winter temperatures, and therefore reduced winter heating needs, has also contributed to the emission reductions from buildings. These reductions have been partly offset by an increase in number of dwellings and larger average floor area in buildings.

Estimates for 2023 indicate another slight decrease in the direct emissions from fossil fuel use in buildings, compared to 2022, in a context of continuous energy efficiency and decarbonisation efforts of heating systems. In the longer term, Member States project the decreasing trend in emissions from buildings will continue.

Figure 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in buildings by country

Historical and projected emissions from the use of fossil fuels in buildings differ significantly from one Member State to another. Lithuania and Malta are the only Member States where emissions increased over the period 2005-2022. Buildings' emissions decreased in all other Member States, with Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia and Finland reporting the largest reductions (from 68% to 52%). Romania, Luxembourg, Poland and Cyprus reported the smallest reductions (between 3% and 17%).

Compared to 2005, national projections of emissions from buildings foresee a further decrease in emissions by 2030 for most Member States. However, this is not the case for Malta, where the increase correlates to increased electricity use for air conditioning.

Additional measures in four countries (Denmark, Finland, Slovenia and Sweden) are expected to result in emissions reductions from buildings of 70% or more by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

Supporting information

Definition

This indicator presents past and latest year GHG emissions estimates and projected GHG emissions trends for energy used in the residential and commercial sector in the European Union. Historical data include emissions from the use of fossil fuels in buildings (also called ‘direct emissions’) and emissions from the use of electricity and heat (also called ‘indirect emissions’); the latter come mainly from emissions resulting from the production of the heat and the electricity that is subsequently used in buildings. Emissions from the construction, renovation or demolition of buildings are not covered by this indicator.

Methodology

Emissions from fossil fuels used in buildings (direct emissions)

This indicator is based on the official GHG inventories submitted by EEA member countries to the EEA, and on the GHG emissions projections submitted by EU Member States under the Governance Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1999).

Greenhouse gas inventories

For the preparation of their national inventories, countries use the methodologies of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Commercial buildings and Residential buildings are included (corresponding respectively to sectors 1A4a and 1A4b of the IPCC classification).

Projected greenhouse gas emissions

For projected GHG emissions, information submitted by EEA member countries under the Governance Regulation is used. The projected GHG emissions referred to in the indicator are those reported under the ‘with existing measures’ (WEM) scenario and the ‘with additional measures’ (WAM) scenario.

The projected GHG emissions data include data Commercial buildings and Residential buildings (corresponding respectively to sectors 1A4a and 1A4b of the IPCC classification).

Approximated greenhouse gas inventory

This indicator also uses data and estimates from the ‘Approximated GHG inventory’ for the year (X-1). ‘Proxy’ inventories are reported by Member States to the EEA and to the Commission under the Governance Regulation by 31 July of each year, X, and are calculated at an aggregate level on the basis of the national and international information available for the year (X-1).

Proxy estimates are provided by Member States only for the entire IPCC sector 1.A.4, not-sub-sectors. It includes therefore more emissions than the only ones of Commercial buildings and Residential buildings. To address this isse, the following adjustment is made: the percentage difference in emissions for year (X-1) and (X-2) of the entire 1.A.4 sector is used to estimate the value of emissions for year X for sub-sectors 1.A.4.a and 1.A.4.b from the value of emissions from the GHG inventory for year (X-1) for these sub-sectors’.

Emissions from electricity use in buildings (indirect emissions)

Indirect emissions from electricity, heat and combined heat and power in residential, commercial and institutional buildings include the emissions from electricity and heat production (IPCC sector 1.A.1.a) that are allocated to buildings (IPCC sectors 1.A.4.a and 1.A.4.b) according to the end-user methodology developed by the EEA. The methodology is based on an EEA report, which is publicly available at:

https://www.eea.europa.eu/publications/end-user-ghg-emissions-energy

Methodology for gap filling

No methodology for gap filling has been specified.

Policy/environmental relevance

Climate change is one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the world, and the warming of the climate system is unequivocal according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). To prevent the most severe impacts of climate change, countries that have signed up to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) have agreed to cooperate with a view to limiting the increase in global average temperature and the resulting climate change by decreasing emissions of GHG.

The buildings sector being one of the massive emitters of GHGs in Europe, the overall EU 2030 target for decreasing GHGemissions (55% below the 1990 level) and the long-term 2050 climate neutrality objective cannot be achieved if emissions from buildings are not addressed quickly and comprehensively. Tackling GHG emissions from buildings is therefore a key priority of EU climate policy. This sector is also a key priority in other regions of the world and therefore at a global level as well.

The indicator is directly responsive to changes in related human activities, such as actions related to energy performance in buildings, energy labelling and the eco-design of products, and actions to decarbonise the electricity and the heating/cooling sectors.

Accuracy and uncertaintiesData sources and providers

Metadata

DPSIRTopicsTagsTemporal coverageGeographic coverage

TypologyUN SDGsUnit of measureFrequency of dissemination

References and footnotes

<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">EU, 2018, Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1-77.</div> </div>
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<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">IPCC, 2006, <i>2006 IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories</i>, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies, Hanawa, Japan.</div> </div>
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