- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Europe Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 5.3% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Europe from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the region's greenhouse gas emission landscape, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns over the observed period.
Europe Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 4,424 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−14.7%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 4,534 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2023) is 758.2 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −10.6% in 2020.
Within Europe, Germany has the highest value in 2023 at 589.4 Million Tonnes, 15.6% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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By region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Trough | 3,776 | −5.3% |
| 2022 | 3,988 | −2.5% |
| 2021 | 4,092 | +6.4% |
| 2020 | 3,845 | −10.6% |
| 2019 | 4,299 | −4.1% |
| 2018 | 4,484 | −1.1% |
| 2017Peak | 4,534 | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 4,470 | +1% |
| 2015 | 4,425 | — |
Data definition
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of environmental performance, industrial output, energy consumption, and progress toward regional climate objectives.
Europe recorded 4,424.50 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, increasing slightly to 4,469.80 million tonnes in 2016 and 4,534.00 million tonnes in 2017 before easing to 4,483.60 million tonnes in 2018 and 4,299.40 million tonnes in 2019. Emissions declined sharply to 3,844.90 million tonnes in 2020 amid reduced industrial activity and lower energy demand. As economic activity recovered, emissions rebounded to 4,091.50 million tonnes in 2021 before moderating to 3,988.30 million tonnes in 2022 and 3,775.80 million tonnes in 2023, the lowest level during the review period. Throughout the period, Germany remained the largest contributor, while the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, the Netherlands, Sweden, Denmark, and remaining European countries collectively shaped the regional trend. Most countries experienced significant reductions in 2020, followed by partial recoveries and continued declines thereafter, reflecting differences in industrial activity, energy demand, and national decarbonization pathways.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a sustained long-term reduction in Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions despite temporary fluctuations associated with economic recovery. It provides valuable insights for monitoring regional emission performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, assessing progress toward decarbonization goals, supporting sustainability assessments and regional comparisons, and strengthening long-term environmental planning. The information also enables policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to evaluate emission reduction strategies, measure climate policy effectiveness, and forecast future greenhouse gas emission trends across Europe.
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Definition- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Europe Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 5.3% on 2022.
Europe Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 4,424 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−14.7%), an average of −2% a year. The series high was 4,534 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 4,534 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 3,776 Million Tonnes in 2023.
Included: The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
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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