Eurostat’s latest data shows that Bulgaria recorded the largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union during the first quarter, rising by 17.38 percent compared to January–March 2024. Across the EU-27, total emissions grew by 3.4 percent, reaching around 900 million tons of CO2-equivalents.
Six other countries posted increases above 5 percent: Czechia with 10.66 percent, Cyprus 8.39 percent, Poland 6.05 percent, Hungary 5.92 percent, and Greece 5.89 percent. In total, 20 member states saw their emissions rise.
Seven countries managed to reduce emissions, with Malta leading the way at minus 6.2 percent, followed by Finland at minus 4.4 percent and Denmark at minus 4.3 percent. Three of these seven countries also experienced a decline in GDP, namely Estonia, Latvia, and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, Denmark, Finland, Malta, and Sweden succeeded in cutting emissions while maintaining economic growth.
By sector, the sharpest year-on-year increases came from electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply at plus 13.6 percent, and households at plus 5.6 percent. Emissions fell in manufacturing by 0.2 percent, transportation and storage by 2.9 percent, and agriculture, forestry, and fishing by 1.4 percent.
