The carbon footprint of greenhouse gases (GHG) from goods and services consumed within the European Union reached 10.7 tons of CO₂ equivalents per capita in 2022, according to the latest data published by Eurostat. This indicator encompasses all emissions generated throughout the production chains, including those from imported goods and services.
A contrasting evolution of emissions
Between 2010 and 2022, emissions related to consumption and production decreased by 14% and 18%, respectively. However, after a sharp decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, the carbon footprint rebounded, increasing by 12% in 2022, while production emissions rose by 4%. Despite this recovery, levels remain below those of 2019, with a decrease of 1% for consumption emissions and 6% for production emissions.
A strong dependence on imports
In 2022, the total GHG footprint related to consumption in the EU amounted to 4.8 billion tons of CO₂ equivalents, while emissions directly generated by production in the Union reached 3.6 billion tons. This imbalance highlights the significant contribution of imports to European emissions.
Disparities between member states
The countries with the lowest carbon footprints per capita are Sweden (7.9 tons), Portugal, and Romania (8 tons each). In contrast, Cyprus (16.6 tons), Luxembourg (15.5 tons), and Ireland (14.2 tons) record the highest levels, reflecting structural and economic differences between member states.