EU sees drop in CO2 emissions, green electricity tops gas - IEA

The EU reduced its CO2 emissions by 2.5 percent, or 70 Mt, in 2022, Trend reports, citing the latest publication on global emissions from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

According to the agency, this is due to mild weather, efficient energy saving measures, switching from fossil fuels, as well as industrial production disruptions. Reduction in natural gas emissions significantly offset increased emissions from coal and oil.

Buildings sector emissions dropped markedly, by 60 Mt, backed by a mild winter, and also due to energy conservation measures.

"Although power sector emissions increased by 3.4 percent, coal use was not as high as anticipated. For the first time, electricity generation from wind and solar PV combined exceeded that of gas or nuclear," the report noted.

The IEA pointed out that average electricity consumption in the EU was lower, even accounting for weather, and electricity use was less sensitive to temperature changes in 2022 than in 2019, pointing to the role of behavior change.

At the same time, EU heat pump sales reached 2.8 million, more than doubling in several countries from the previous year. Moreover, industry sector CO2 emissions declined by 42 Mt.

Meanwhile, energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 0.9 percent, or 321 Mt, globally in 2022, reaching a new high of over 36.8 Gt.

"Following two years of exceptional oscillations in energy use and emissions, caused in part by the Covid-19 pandemic, last year's growth was much slower than 2021's rebound of more than 6 percent. Emissions from energy combustion increased by 423 Mt, while emissions from industrial processes decreased by 102 Mt," the agency added.