Cyprus recorded a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity over the period 2013-2024, according to data released on Friday from the European Statistical Office (Eurostat), with the decrease reaching 28.9%.
Over the same period, greenhouse gas emissions across the EU economy fell by 20%, while gross value added increased by 20% as well. As a result, the EU’s overall greenhouse gas emissions intensity decreased by 34%.
According to Eurostat, moderate improvements were observed in countries such as Luxembourg (-14%), Lithuania (-18%), and Austria (-20%), while the largest reductions occurred in Estonia (-64%), Ireland (-50%), and Finland (-44%). In contrast, only Malta (+17%) saw an increase in emissions intensity compared with 2013.
Eurostat also reports that in 2024 total greenhouse gas emissions across the EU economy, including economic activities and households, amounted to 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This represents a 1% decrease compared with 2023 and a 20% reduction compared with 2013.
Data for 2024 show that Cyprus exhibits a distinct emissions profile by economic activity. The energy sector, covering electricity and gas supply, remains the largest source of emissions, accounting for over 40% of the country’s total emissions, following the pattern observed in Estonia.
Across other EU member states, emissions sources vary widely. In Latvia, agriculture accounts for around 30% of total emissions. In nine countries, manufacturing is the main emitter, while in six countries, transport and storage lead emissions, including Denmark, Malta, and Luxembourg, where the sector contributes over 50% of total emissions.
At the EU level, the electricity and gas sector recorded the largest improvement in emissions intensity per employment between 2013 and 2024, with a 53% drop. This was followed by the services sector (25%, excluding transport and storage) and manufacturing (20%).
In contrast, agriculture, forestry, and fishing saw an increase in emissions intensity per employment of 21%.
The improvement in the energy sector reflects a combined effect of an 8% rise in hours worked and a 49% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the ongoing decarbonisation of the sector. Manufacturing shows a similar trend, although the changes in both emissions and employment are smaller.