Eurostat preliminary estimates reveal a 17.2% drop in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 2015 to 2025, even as the bloc’s economy expanded, highlighting both progress and ongoing hurdles in decarbonisation.
Preliminary Eurostat estimates show that greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union fell to about 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025, down 17.2% from 2015, even as the bloc’s economy expanded by 17.5% over the same period.
The decline was broad-based across most parts of the economy. The energy sector delivered the largest reduction, with emissions down 45.3% from 2015 levels, while mining and quarrying recorded a 33.3% fall. Manufacturing emissions dropped 16%, households 14.7% and services 11.9%. Smaller decreases were seen in agriculture, forestry and fishing, at 5.9%, and in water and waste management, at 2.6%.
Not every sector moved in the same direction. Emissions rose in construction by 11.4% and in transport and storage by 10.9%, underlining the continuing challenge of decarbonising hard-to-abate and logistics-intensive activity.
At national level, Eurostat said emissions declined in 23 member states, with the steepest drops in Estonia, Finland and Germany. Emissions increased in four countries, led by Malta and Cyprus.
The 2025 figures sit alongside a run of quarterly Eurostat releases showing that emissions remained volatile through the year. In the first quarter, EU greenhouse gas output rose 3.4% year on year, driven by higher emissions from electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply as well as households. That was followed by a 0.4% annual decline in the second quarter, before a 1.1% quarter-on-quarter rise in the third quarter and a further 0.9% increase in the fourth.
For industrial decarbonisation professionals, the data point to a familiar pattern: structural progress in power and heavy industry, but persistent growth pressure from transport, construction and parts of the services chain.
- https://www.urdupoint.com/en/middle-east/eu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-fall-17-since-2-2204635.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/world%2Feurope%2Feu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-fall-17-since-2015-1.500576750 – In 2025, the European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 3.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, marking a 17.2% decline compared to 2015. This reduction was achieved across most economic sectors, with the energy sector leading with a 45.3% decrease. Despite the decline in emissions, the EU economy expanded, with GDP growing by 17.5% over the same period. ([gulfnews.com](https://gulfnews.com/amp/story/world%2Feurope%2Feu-greenhouse-gas-emissions-fall-17-since-2015-1.500576750?utm_source=openai))
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260123-1 – In 2024, the EU economy’s greenhouse gas emissions totalled 3.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, representing a 1% decrease compared to 2023 and a 20% reduction compared to 2013. The energy sector achieved the sharpest decline with a 49% drop, while transportation and storage emissions increased by 14%. ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260123-1?utm_source=openai))
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260213-1 – In the third quarter of 2025, the EU economy’s seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 828 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, a 1.1% increase compared to the previous quarter. The largest increases were observed in households (+3.6%) and manufacturing (+1.4%). ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260213-1?utm_source=openai))
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260513-1 – In the fourth quarter of 2025, the EU economy’s seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 839 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, a 0.9% increase compared to the previous quarter. The largest increases were in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (+7.2%), transportation and storage (+1.3%), and mining and quarrying (+0.9%). ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260513-1?utm_source=openai))
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20251114-1 – In the second quarter of 2025, the EU economy’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 772 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, a 0.4% decrease compared to the same quarter in 2024. The largest year-on-year decreases were in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (-2.9%), manufacturing (-0.4%), and transportation and storage (-0.4%). ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20251114-1?utm_source=openai))
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250814-1 – In the first quarter of 2025, the EU economy’s greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 900 million tonnes of CO₂-equivalents, a 3.4% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. The largest year-on-year increases were in electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (+13.6%) and households (+5.6%). ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250814-1?utm_source=openai))
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The article was published on 17 June 2026, reporting on preliminary Eurostat estimates for 2025. Eurostat’s latest available data is from 2024, with the most recent release on 23 January 2026. ([ec.europa.eu](https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20260123-1?utm_source=openai)) Therefore, the 2025 figures are not yet publicly available, raising concerns about the accuracy and timeliness of the reported data. The article’s reliance on unpublished data suggests potential issues with freshness and originality.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article does not provide direct quotes from Eurostat or other authoritative sources. Instead, it paraphrases data from Eurostat’s 2024 report. Without direct citations or quotes, it’s challenging to verify the exact figures and claims made, which affects the credibility of the information presented.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from UrduPoint, a news outlet that primarily serves the Pakistani audience. While it cites Eurostat as the source, the lack of direct links to the original Eurostat publications and the absence of direct quotes from Eurostat raise concerns about the reliability and independence of the reporting. The reliance on a single source without independent verification diminishes the overall trustworthiness of the content.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The reported 17.2% decline in EU greenhouse gas emissions from 2015 to 2025 is plausible, considering the EU’s ongoing efforts to reduce emissions. However, the absence of direct quotes from Eurostat and the reliance on unpublished data from 2025, which is not yet publicly available, raises questions about the accuracy and timeliness of the information. The lack of corroboration from other reputable sources further diminishes the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The article reports on preliminary Eurostat estimates for 2025, which are not yet publicly available, raising significant concerns about the accuracy and timeliness of the information. The reliance on unpublished data, the absence of direct quotes from Eurostat, and the lack of independent verification from other reputable sources diminish the credibility and reliability of the content.
