The greenhouse gas emissions generated by the economic activities of the resident units of the European Union stood at 3.5 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020, a decrease of 9% compared to 2019 and 24% compared to 2008, shows data published by the European Statistical Office (Eurostat).

The activity with the highest greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 was the manufacturing industry (740 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; 21% of total greenhouse gas emissions), followed by the supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning (719 million tons of CO2 equivalent; 21%) and total household activities (693 million tons of CO2 equivalent; 20%), according to Agerpres. Households emit greenhouse gases for transportation, heating and other purposes.

Between 2008 (the first available reference year) and 2020, the most significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions was recorded in the supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning (minus 41%), the extractive industry (minus 38%) and manufacturing (minus 27%).

The EU has proposed a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, to reach climate neutrality by 2050.