Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union fell 1.3% in 2012, to 19.2% below 1990 levels, according to a recent report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). This continued decline in GHG emissions puts the EU on track to meet its 20% reduction target by 2020.
Emissions have decreased by 1 082 Mt in the EU since 1990, which is more than the combined 2012 emissions of Italy and the United Kingdom, largely due to reductions in emissions from transport and industry and a growing share of energy from renewable sources. The downward emission trajectory has continued in 2013, according to data from the EU Emissions Trading System and early estimates from Eurostat.
The 15 Member States that were members of the European Union when the Kyoto Protocol was agreed in 1997 set a collective reduction target of 8% for the period 2008–2012 compared to the EU15 base year. The actual reduction in emissions in this group of countries averaged 11.8 % in 2008-2012 compared to the base year, without counting 'sinks' or credits from Kyoto Protocol flexible mechanisms. The emission reduction from 2008 to 2012 in the EU15 was in absolute terms greater than Spain's total emissions in 2012.
Commenting on the result, EEA Executive Director Hans Bruyninckx said that the EU had demonstrated that there is no conflict between a growing economy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “Policies have been at the heart of this success. We need to go even further, but this will depend on countries implementing policies which already map a path towards a low-carbon, energy-secure society," he said.