Tuesday 3 February 2026

Between 2013 and 2024, Ireland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions intensity of gross value added by 50.2%, according to Eurostat data. This compares with an EU average reduction of 34.0%.

The figures show that Ireland generated more value with lower associated emissions over the decade. Across the EU, most member states recorded substantial reductions.

Only Malta (+17%) saw its emissions intensity increase since 2013. 

Getty Images. Photo: Derick Hudson.

In 2024, the EU economy’s greenhouse gas emissions by economic activities and households totalled 3.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents. This represents a 1% decrease compared with 2023 and a 20% reduction compared with 2013.

Sharpest rate of decline

Between 2013 and 2024, the energy sector (supply of electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning) achieved the sharpest rate of decline and the largest overall decrease, with a 49% drop (-512 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents).

In the same period, three other economic activities also recorded double-digit reductions: mining and quarrying (-37%, -25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents), manufacturing (-18%, -146 million tonnes) and services (-14%, -36 million tonnes).

The only two economic activities with an increase in emissions were transportation and storage (14%, +57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents) and construction (+6%, +3 million tonnes). 

Source dataset: env_ac_ainah_r2

Greenhouse gas emission intensity down by 34% since 2013

The greenhouse gas emissions intensity measures the amount of emissions (measured in CO₂ equivalents) per unit of gross value added (measured in euros) in an economy. It is an indicator of the climate efficiency of economic production. A decrease in the emissions intensity means fewer emissions for the same generation of value added.

The greenhouse gas emissions intensity in the EU decreased by 34% from 2013 to 2024. This is the result of the simultaneous decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by the EU economy and the increase in its value added (+20%). The largest reductions were recorded in Estonia (-64%), Ireland (-50%) and Finland (-44%). Only Malta (+17%) saw its emissions intensity increase since 2013.