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Energy & PowerRegional Aggregate

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energyin Europe

- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year.

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From EnergyMillion Tonnes · 2015–2023

GermanyGermany: 571.9571.9TurkeyTurkey: 411.1411.1UKUK: 327.3327.3ItalyItaly: 301.3301.3FranceFrance: 254.6254.6SpainSpain: 246.8246.8NetherlandsNetherlands: 156.1156.1SwedenSweden: 35.8035.80
4,5004,0003,5003,0002015: 4,2102016: 4,2502017: 4,311Peak2018: 4,2592019: 4,0822020: 3,6252021: 3,8662022: 3,7832023: 3,547Trough20152017201920212023
Remaining Countries: 1,182Germany: 571.9Turkey: 411.1UK: 327.3Italy: 301.3France: 254.6Other (5): 498.87countries
Remaining Countries1,182
Germany571.9
Turkey411.1
UK327.3
Italy301.3
France254.6
Other (5)498.8
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: July 2026

What Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy shows

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.2% on 2022. The Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy dataset for Europe from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region's energy-related carbon emission trends, reflecting changes in fossil fuel consumption, energy demand, and environmental performance over time.

Trend

Falling to a series low

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 4,210 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−15.8%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 4,311 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023.

Volatility

A 17.7% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 764 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −11.2% in 2020.

Structure

Germany leads the region

Within Europe, Germany has the highest value in 2023 at 571.9 Million Tonnes, 16.1% of the regional total.

Country ranking

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy by country, 2023

Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.

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Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy by country, 2023.
Rank↕ Country↕ Share of top Million Tonnes↕ vs 2022
1 Germany
571.9 −9.5%
2 Turkey
411.1 −2.2%
3 UK
327.3 −4%
4 Italy
301.3 −7.3%
5 France
254.6 −6.6%
6 Spain
246.8 −5.2%
7 Netherlands
156.1 −5.3%
8 Sweden
35.80 −5.3%
9 Finland
31.70 −11.5%
10 Denmark
28.40 −4.7%

By region

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy by region

Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.

Full series

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy, 2015–2023, Million Tonnes.
YearMillion TonnesChange vs prior year
2023 Trough3,547 −6.2%
2022 3,783 −2.2%
2021 3,866 +6.7%
2020 3,625 −11.2%
2019 4,082 −4.2%
2018 4,259 −1.2%
2017Peak 4,311 +1.4%
2016 4,250 +1%
2015 4,210 —

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.

Inclusions

The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability.

Exclusions

The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.

About this indicator

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.

Measured in million tonnes, the dataset captures the volume of carbon dioxide released through energy production and consumption activities, making it a key indicator for assessing industrial activity, electricity generation, transportation demand, and progress toward emission reduction objectives. It covers major European economies, including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, Turkey, and the rest of Europe, offering a broad regional perspective on emissions from the energy sector. Europe recorded energy-related carbon dioxide emissions of 4,210.0 million tonnes in 2015, which increased to 4,250.1 million tonnes in 2016 and reached a peak of 4,310.8 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions then declined to 4,258.5 million tonnes in 2018 and 4,081.5 million tonnes in 2019. A substantial decrease occurred in 2020, when emissions fell to 3,625.0 million tonnes owing to reduced industrial production, lower transportation activity, and weaker overall energy consumption. With economic recovery underway, emissions rose to 3,866.4 million tonnes in 2021 before declining again to 3,783.0 million tonnes in 2022 and further to 3,546.8 million tonnes in 2023, marking the lowest level during the period. Overall, the dataset highlights Europe's long-term transition toward lower energy-related carbon emissions despite periodic fluctuations. The sustained decline reflects improved energy efficiency, expanding renewable energy deployment, reduced dependence on coal, cleaner electricity generation, and the continued implementation of climate and decarbonization policies. Consequently, the dataset serves as a valuable resource for evaluating regional environmental performance, analyzing emission trends, supporting energy and climate policy development, benchmarking international progress, forecasting future emissions, and assessing the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability across Europe.

Indicator
Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy
Region
Europe
Unit
Million Tonnes
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
July 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy?

Definition- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.

What was Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy in 2023?

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.2% on 2022.

How has Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy changed between 2015 and 2023?

Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 4,210 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−15.8%), an average of −2.1% a year. The series high was 4,311 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023.

Which year had the highest and lowest Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy?

The highest value was 4,311 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 3,547 Million Tonnes in 2023.

What does the Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy data include and exclude?

Included: The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.

Where does the Europe Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy data come from?

The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.

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