Copenhagen, 31 October 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union fell sharply last year, according to a report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) released on Thursday.

Net greenhouse gas emissions in the EU in 2023 were down 8% on the previous year, it said. It is the largest annual decline in decades - with the exception of 2020, when Covid-19 hit.

According to the EEA, the reduction in emissions is due to the significant decline in coal consumption in the EU, the expansion of renewable energies and the lower electricity use by Europeans.

In particular, the energy, industry and construction sectors have contributed significantly to the good result. By contrast, the transport and agriculture sectors still have some way to go in reducing emissions, according to the report by the EU authority based in Copenhagen.

The EU has set itself the goal of being climate-neutral by 2050.

By 2030, emissions should have fallen by 55% compared to 1990 levels. According to the EEA report, in 2023 the figure was 37% below 1990 levels.

MIA file photo