Compared to the second quarter of 2025, emissions in the European Union increased by 9 million tons of CO2eq to 828 million tons in the third quarter. In percentage terms, this represents an increase of 1.1%. At the same time, however, the EU's gross domestic product grew by 0.4% over the same period.
This is evidenced by new data from Eurostat.
The largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions was in households (3.6%) and the manufacturing industry (1.4%). Only one sector saw a reduction in CO2 emissions: energy, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply, where emissions fell by 0.8%.
Source: Eurostat
Dynamics by country
Overall, seasonally adjusted emissions increased in 17 countries of the European Community. However, in 10 countries, they were lower than in the previous quarter.
Estonia (-17.4%) was the record holder in reducing air pollution from greenhouse gases. Slovenia and Cyprus were also among the top three, with CO2 emissions falling by 5.7% and 5.2%, respectively.
Nine countries also increased their GDP at the same time. These are Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Latvia, Romania, Portugal, and Slovenia. The only country where CO2 emissions fell along with GDP during that period was Lithuania.
Source: Eurostat
Recently, the European Parliament supported the EU's climate target for 2040. As EcoPolitic reported, the Union must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 90% from 1990 levels. Countries are granted certain flexibilities – up to 5% of the reductions may be offset through international carbon credits.
