Greenhouse gas emissions in Bulgaria decrease by 37.4 percent, in the EU – by seven percent in 2023

BRUSSELS – In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions related to business and household activities in the EU amounted to 3.4 billion tons of carbon equivalent. This is a decrease of seven percent compared to 2022 and 18 percent compared to 2013, according to Eurostat data. The reported decrease in Bulgaria is 37.4 percent.

During the period 2013-2023, producers in almost all sectors have reduced their emissions, the data show. Producers and suppliers of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning have achieved the largest reduction with a decrease of 43 percent, or 448 million tons of carbon equivalent. There is also a significant decrease in the sectors of “Mining” and “Quarries” – 25 percent, or 18 million tons of carbon equivalent, “Services” – 20 percent, 54 million tons and “Industrial production” – 17 percent, 142 million tons.

Growth in emissions was registered only in the “Transport and storage” sector – 14 percent.

Households report a reduction in emissions of 14 percent or 110 million tons of carbon equivalent, according to Eurostat.

For the period 2013-2023, the index of the so-called greenhouse emission intensity decreased by 32 percent, which means that the added value of the EU’s economy is growing by 19 percent while simultaneously reducing harmful gas emissions, adds the European statistical service.

The largest decrease in emissions intensity was reported in Estonia (-61 percent), Ireland (-50 percent), and Slovenia (-41 percent). The smallest decrease is in Austria and Lithuania (by -17 percent) and Luxembourg (-19 percent).

The EU aims to become climate neutral by 2050. (January 13)