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Sweden was doing exceptionally well when it came to pollution per capita</a>. In <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://sweden.se/nature/sweden-tackles-climate-change//" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sweden</a>, the government makes it easy for every household to gain access to information about energy saving. All municipalities in Sweden have energy advisers to whom people can turn for help and guidance, such as switching to a different source of heating, like <a title=\"Boilers\" href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/boilers/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">boilers</a> and <a title=\"Heat Pump\" href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/heat-pumps/" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">heat pumps</a>.\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, the bottom three countries that pollute the most were:\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Ireland – 13.3 tonnes per capita</li><li>Estonia – 16 tonnes per capita</li><li>Luxembourg – 20 tonnes per capita</li></ul>\n\n\n\nAs the map displays pollution per capita, Luxembourg’s GHG emissions were surprisingly high in relation to their small population.\n\n\n\nA contributing factor to the high rate of emissions could be a large number of vehicles in the country. Luxembourg has been criticised for its air quality by the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://ec.europa.eu/environment/eir/pdf/report_lu_en.pdf/" target=\"_blank\">European Commission</a> on the subject.\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"ghg-limits\">EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions vs EU Limits for 2020</h2>\n\n\n\nAs previously stated, the EU had set goals to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020. The 2020 targets of GHG emissions dictate the maximum level of emissions an EU country is permitted to reach.\n\n\n\nThis goal translates differently for the various members’ states, as the limits that have been set are based on the wealth of the individual countries.\n\n\n\nThus, countries with a lower GDP are permitted to emit a higher level of greenhouse gases, as their economy is dependent on activities that cause pollution. Nevertheless, less wealthy countries are still obligated to minimise their GHG emissions.\n\n\n\nThe base year for the dataset is 1990, measuring the average of all European countries. For the EU countries’ individual target limits, they were based on the GDP of each country, with the emission rates from 2005 as the calculation number. The charts below display the numbers in the index values.\n\n\n\n<h3>Best Performing EU Countries</h3>\n\n\n\nThis interactive chart illustrates the difference between the actual emissions by the best performing EU countries in relation to the 2020 limits set by the EU.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_8c53017c7484\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n chartid='best-performing'\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='Seperate'\n headerrows='1'\n columns='I,L,N'\n aggregate=''\n type='column'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height=''\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding='null'\n horizontalangle='30'\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum='0'\n horizontalmaximum='15'\n verticalminimum='0'\n verticalmaximum='160'\n customcolors='9ec73d;2eb1c4'\n title='Top-Performing Countries in the EU'\n :logo='true'\n />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<IframeEmbedCode key=\"block_b0b2ff3b866a\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n heading='If you want to share this chart, use the code below:'\n iframe=' <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2019/10/greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country/" target=\"_blank\">'\n />\n\n\n\n\nOf the countries listed, 71% were given a higher 2020 target due to their GDP figures. The majority of the countries were well within the threshold that was set for 2020.\n\n\n\nGreece, Spain, Italy, and the UK, in particular, were doing well. All four countries were requested to decrease their emissions from their 2005 levels due to their national wealth, and yet still managed to stay within the target limit.\n\n\n\n<ul><li>United Kingdom had a target limit of 75.3, and their result in 2017 was 62.4, which is 17.2% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li><li>Spain had a target limit of 138.9, and its result in 2017 was 121.8, which is 12.3% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li><li>Italy had a target limit of 98.2, and their result in 2017 was 84.1, which is 14.4% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li><li>Greece had a target limit of 126.2, and its result in 2017 was 93.6, which is 25.9% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li></ul>\n\n\n\nMalta, on the other hand, had polluted a much more substantial amount in 2005, thus their national target limit was a lot higher. In addition, their GDP is a bigger concern than the target limit of emissions, therefore they were allowed to have an increase of 5%.\n\n\n\n<h3>Worst Performing EU Countries</h3>\n\n\n\nThis interactive chart illustrates the difference between the actual emissions by the worst-performing EU countries in relation to their 2020 limits set by the EU.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_d7ea45c5aae3\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n chartid='worst-performing'\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='Seperate'\n headerrows='1'\n columns='A,D,F'\n aggregate=''\n type='column'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height=''\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding='100'\n horizontalangle='45'\n horizontaldatatype='0'\n verticaldatatype='0'\n horizontalminimum='0'\n horizontalmaximum='15'\n verticalminimum='0'\n verticalmaximum='160'\n customcolors='9ec73d; 2eb1c4'\n title='Low-Performing Countries in the EU'\n :logo='true'\n />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<IframeEmbedCode key=\"block_84b307212ac2\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n heading='If you want to share this chart, use the code below:'\n iframe=''\n />\n\n\n\n\nOf the countries listed, 21% were given a higher 2020 target due to their GDP. The majority of the countries listed on the graph here had either already exceeded their 2020 targets, or were on the verge of surpassing them.\n\n\n\nThe majority of the countries had moderate pollution levels in 2017, with the exception of Cyprus, which had the highest rate of GHG emissions – namely 155.7.\n\n\n\nEstonia, Latvia, and Poland were the only countries in the worst-performing category that were allowed to have an increase in their emissions. Yet, they fared poorly because the difference between the target limit set by the EU and their actual emissions were the lowest.\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Estonia had a target limit of 52.9 and their result in 2017 was 52, which was 1.8% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li><li>Latvia had a target limit of 51.1 and their result in 2017 was 44.3, which was 13.4% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li><li>Poland had a target limit of 97 and its result in 2017 was 87.7, which was 9.6% below the proposed threshold for 2020.</li></ul>\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Cyprus, and Luxembourg were requested to reduce their emission rates based on their 2005 levels, yet exceeded their 2020 target limits already by 2017. Inability to reduce their emissions by 2020 meant the risk of not fulfilling EU targets.\n\n\n\nOverall, this chart showcases a bad trajectory for these countries, predicting their inability to adhere to the target limits set by the EU with such negative progression.\n\n\n\n<h3>Emission Predictions Based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)</h3>\n\n\n\nKnowing that national emission reduction targets were set according to the GDP of each individual EU country, we designed the economic forecast table of the EU.\n\n\n\nThis table clarifies that the lower GDP per capita, the more a country is allowed to pollute. On the other hand, countries that have higher GDP per capita are required to lower their emissions.\n\n\n\nThis table displays the forecast for the overall average growth of the GDP from 2017 to 2020. Alongside that, the real GDP per capita from 2018 and the national GHG emission targets for each European country are displayed, as well as the average result of all 28 EU countries.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_48cbc306a8a9\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n chartid='economic-forecast'\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='GDP'\n headerrows='1'\n columns='A,F,G,H'\n aggregate=''\n type='table'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height='499'\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding=''\n horizontalangle=''\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum=''\n verticalmaximum=''\n customcolors=''\n title=''\n :logo='false'\n />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<IframeEmbedCode key=\"block_576f69478095\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n heading='If you want to share this interactive table, use the code below:'\n iframe=''\n />\n\n\n\n\nBased on each country’s annual GDP growth, we can assess which nations could be given a more demanding limit (e.g. decreasing emissions by up to 20%) after the next set of energy and climate targets are established under the <a rel=\"noopener\" href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/effort_en/" target=\"_blank\">“Effort-sharing decision”</a>.\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"uk-eu-comparison\">UK vs. EU: Comparing GHG Emission Development</h2>\n\n\n\nThe UK has done a lot to reduce its emissions, as evidenced by the decrease in GHG emissions in total compared to the average EU country. The UK has the second-highest GDP percentage share in Europe, therefore, it is important to discuss the relationship between the UK and EU.\n\n\n\nThe interactive line chart below demonstrates a comparison between the UK and the EU in terms of greenhouse gas emission development. The data illustrates the index numbers of GHG emissions, from 1990 to 2017.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_5ae68ce190e5\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n chartid='greenhouse-gas-emissions-eu-uk'\n spreadsheetid='18B-lu4qcgK7Z24TraaZOZ-WR4OEsiyjLSqWic2nOTPA'\n sheet='Line'\n headerrows='1'\n columns='A,B,C'\n aggregate=''\n type='curve'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height=''\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding='null'\n horizontalangle='30'\n horizontaldatatype='0'\n verticaldatatype='0'\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum='60'\n verticalmaximum='100'\n customcolors=''\n title='GHG Emission Development (UK vs EU)'\n :logo='true'\n />\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<IframeEmbedCode key=\"block_359c8b2fe113\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n heading='If you want to share this chart, use the code below:'\n iframe=''\n />\n\n\n\n\nFrom the baseline year of 1990 until 1997, the EU had better results in reducing the total GHG compared to the UK.\n\n\n\nFrom 1997 to 1999 both, the UK and the EU had similar progress from an index of 94.7 to around 92. However, from the year 1999 to 2017, the UK saw much greater development in reducing GHG emissions than the EU average did.\n\n\n\nThe UK’s 2020 target set by the EU was a 16% decrease in GHG emissions compared to its 2005 levels. In other words, the UK had to reduce its 89.7 index score to 75.3 by 2020.\n\n\n\nOn the other hand, the target for the EU as a whole stayed the same: a reduction of 20% compared to the base year of 1990.\n\n\n\nLooking at the latest reports, it is clear that the UK made more significant progress, having their index at 62.4 compared to the EU, which is at 78.3.\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"minimise-ghg\">How to Minimise Greenhouse Gas Emissions</h2>\n\n\n\nIt is not only up to the governments and companies of a country to ensure that GHG emissions are lowered. <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"/blog/2019/02/households-fight-greenhouse-gas-emissions/">Households can also act to reduce GHG emissions</a>, which will positively contribute to the overall situation.\n\n\n\nIn addition to recycling and being mindful of doing anything unsustainable, changing your domestic energy source can make a huge difference.\n\n\n\nInvesting in <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/clean-energy/" title=\"Clean Energy\">clean energy</a> is one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener planet. For example, sustainable households with <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/solar-energy/solar-panels/" title=\"Solar Panels\">solar panels</a> or heat pumps are great <a href=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2020/09/home-improvements/" title=\"Home Improvements\">home improvements</a> you can make, and will help combat excessive burning of fossil fuels, and consequently, help limit the effects of climate change.\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"methodology\">Methodology</h2>\n\n\n\nFor the data research, quantitative data that were available on Eurostat’s website were analysed. For some countries, qualitative data were also assessed in order to gain an explanation of why some countries might pollute more than others.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<Faq key=\"block_63dcc1d67a2a8\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n :faq='[{\"question\":\"Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Capita in European Countries\",\"answer\":\"A dataset published by\\u00a0<a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/ec.europa.eu\\/eurostat\\/web\\/products-datasets\\/-\\/sdg_13_10\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener\\\">Eurostat<\\/a> in 2019 was analysed to establish the total GHG emissions per capita<\\/strong>. The years analysed were from 1990-2017<\\/strong>, and the metric \\u2018tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per capita\\u2019 was used.<\\/p>\\nIt is important to note that in Eurostat\\u2019s figures, some countries\\u2019 data featured a break in time series and provisional variables.<\\/p>\\n\"},{\"question\":\"National GHG Emissions in European Countries\",\"answer\":\"The same dataset from Eurostat was used to make a comparison of GHG pollution levels<\\/strong> between all European countries in 2017, the GHGs were measured in CO2 equivalent, abbreviated as CO2-eq.<\\/p>\\nCO2-eq<\\/strong> is a metric measure used to compare the emissions from various greenhouse gases on the basis of their global warming potential<\\/strong> (GWP). Meaning that CO2-eq abbreviation converts amounts of all the other greenhouse gases to the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide with the same global warming potential.<\\/p>\\nThe carbon dioxide equivalent for a gas is derived by multiplying tonnes of the gas by the associated GWP:<\\/p>\\nMMTCDE = (million metric tonnes of a gas) x (GWP of the gas)<\\/em><\\/p>\\nIn addition to the column that illustrates GHG emissions in CO2 equivalent, we included another column that indicates a national pollution <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/ec.europa.eu\\/info\\/business-economy-euro\\/economic-and-fiscal-policy-coordination\\/eu-economic-governance-monitoring-prevention-correction\\/european-semester_en\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener\\\">reduction target<\\/a> for 2020 from Eurostat for which some calculations had to be made. To calculate the limits<\\/strong> proposed by the EU, we looked at Eurostat\\u2019s website that showcased a percentage change for all the countries. The percentage change would be a 20% cut<\\/strong> in emissions for the countries with the highest amount of national wealth and an increase of a maximum of 20%<\\/strong> for the countries with the least amount of wealth.<\\/p>\\nThe percentage of changes were changed into decimal numbers<\\/strong> and multiplied by the number of emissions from 2005. After that, the number was added<\\/strong> to the original number from 2005, if it is an increase or subtracted<\\/strong> if it is a decrease.<\\/p>\\nExample:<\\/p>\\n<ul>\\n<li>United Kingdom (decrease by 16%) from the base year of 2005 (89.7):\\n<ol>\\n<li>16% = 0.16<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li>0.16 \\u00d7 89.7 = 14.4<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li>89.7 – 14.4 = 75.3 (Deduct since it is a percentage decrease)<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<li>Croatia (increase by 11%) from the base year of 2005 (93.6)\\n<ol>\\n<li>11% = 0.11<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li>0.11 \\u00d7 93.6 = 10.3<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<li>93.6 + 10.3 = 103.9 (Add since it is a percentage increase)<\\/em><\\/li>\\n<\\/ol>\\n<\\/li>\\n<\\/ul>\\nAll of the 28 European countries have been divided into two groups equally: the best<\\/strong> and the worst-performing<\\/strong> countries based on the difference between their individual 2020 target<\\/strong> limit and the 2017 result<\\/strong>.<\\/p>\\nAdditionally, the average result of all 28 EU countries was added to both graphs that illustrate the best and the worst-performing countries.<\\/p>\\n\"},{\"question\":\"Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in European Countries\",\"answer\":\"As a country\\u2019s wealth<\\/strong> was a major factor when the EU GHG emission limits were set, we had to look at each individual country\\u2019s GDP<\\/strong> in multiple units of measure. Thus, a table showcasing an average <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/ec.europa.eu\\/info\\/publications\\/european-economic-forecast-summer-2019_en\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener\\\">GDP growth<\\/a> from 2017 to 2020, and the <a href=\\\"https:\\/\\/ec.europa.eu\\/eurostat\\/web\\/products-datasets\\/-\\/sdg_08_10\\\" target=\\\"_blank\\\" rel=\\\"noopener\\\">GDP per capita<\\/a> for each European country was created.<\\/p>\\nFurthermore, the same percentage change of the emission reduction targets for 2020\\u00a0from Eurostat were added to see a more direct correlation<\\/strong> between the targets<\\/strong> and the GDP per capita<\\/strong> of each EU country.<\\/p>\\nIn addition, the GDP growth<\\/strong> from 2017 to 2020 could give a better idea of the change in future target limits for greenhouse gas emissions set by the EU.<\\/p>\\n\"},{\"question\":\"GHG Emission Comparison between the UK and the EU\",\"answer\":\"Furthermore, to compare greenhouse gas emission development<\\/strong> between the UK<\\/strong> and the EU<\\/strong>, the data showcasing the total GHG emissions in CO2 equivalent from 1990 up until 2017 was used. For this chart, we used the same dataset from Eurosat as before.<\\/p>\\n\"}]'\n :hidestructureddata='true'\n />\n\n\n\n\n<h3>Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Capita in European Countries</h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_63dcc2387a2a9\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='All-Datasets'\n headerrows='2'\n columns='A,B'\n type='table'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height='500'\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding=''\n horizontalangle=''\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum=''\n verticalmaximum=''\n customcolors=''\n title=''\n :logo='false'\n />\n\n\n\n\n<h3>National GHG Emissions in European Countries</h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_63dcc5397a2aa\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='All-Datasets'\n headerrows='2'\n columns='D,E,F,G,H,I'\n type='table'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height='500'\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding=''\n horizontalangle=''\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum=''\n verticalmaximum=''\n customcolors=''\n title=''\n :logo='false'\n />\n\n\n\n\n<h3>Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in European Countries</h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_63dcc5bb7a2ab\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='All-Datasets'\n headerrows='2'\n columns='K,L,M,N,O,P,Q,R'\n type='table'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height='500'\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding=''\n horizontalangle=''\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum=''\n verticalmaximum=''\n customcolors=''\n title=''\n :logo='false'\n />\n\n\n\n\n<h3>GHG Emission Comparison between the UK and the EU</h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<InteractiveChart key=\"block_63dcc5fa7a2ac\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n spreadsheetid='1dRFNLXIg8N1o2aRg3wdwfASBQ-MITqq08yin854j-qU'\n sheet='All-Datasets'\n headerrows='3'\n columns='T,U,V'\n type='table'\n :stacked='false'\n :showlabels='false'\n :hidelegend='false'\n height='500'\n leftpadding=''\n bottompadding=''\n horizontalangle=''\n horizontaldatatype=''\n verticaldatatype=''\n horizontalminimum=''\n horizontalmaximum=''\n verticalminimum=''\n verticalmaximum=''\n customcolors=''\n title=''\n :logo='false'\n />\n\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"></div>\n</div></div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-container-3 wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n\n\n\n<AuthorProfile key=\"block_7568fd1b5331\"\n class=\"wp-macro\"\n url=https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2019/10/'https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/authors/aris-vourvoulias'/n image='https://cdn.greenmatch.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/2/2022/10/aris-vourvoulias.jpg'\n name='Aris Vourvoulias'\n bio='Aris Vourvoulias is the Head of Content in GreenMatch. Aris is a passionate author and marketer with an educational background in journalism. He continuously writes, reviews, and educates himself in the areas of business, finance, and renewable energy. He has managerial experience in many European markets, including UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. He and his content team have been featured on reputable sites like GreenPeace, Guardian, iNews, Gizmodo, and more\n'\n shortenedbio=''\n jobTitle='Former Writer'\n email='editorial@greenmatch.co.uk'\n linkedIn='https://www.linkedin.com/in/arisvourvoulias/'\n twitter=''\n website=''\n />\n\n</div></div>\n","lastUpdated":"16 May 2023","topBanner":null,"pageHeader":{"title":"Making the UK greener, one house at a time","type":"text","subtitle":"","media_type":"testimonials"},"breadcrumbs":{"0":{"name":"GreenMatch","url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/"},"1":{"name":"Blog","url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog"},"4":{"name":"Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country","url":null}},"authors":[],"relatedArticles":[{"id":29281,"url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/07/environmental-impact-of-rio2016","image":"https://cdn.greenmatch.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/2/2022/10/rio2016.png","title":"Environmental Impact of Rio2016"},{"id":29285,"url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/08/fast-fashion-the-second-largest-polluter-in-the-world","image":"https://cdn.greenmatch.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/2/2022/10/fast_fashion_the__second_largest_polluter_in_the_world_title.png","title":"Fast Fashion: The Second Largest Polluter in The World"},{"id":29302,"url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/10/celebrities-making-a-difference-in-saving-the-planet","image":"https://cdn.greenmatch.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/2/2022/10/leonardo_dicaprio_bw.jpg","title":"Celebrities Making a Difference in Saving the Planet"},{"id":29305,"url":"https://www.greenmatch.co.uk/blog/2016/11/air-pollution-uk","image":"https://cdn.greenmatch.co.uk/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto/2/2022/10/air_pollution_uk.png","title":"Air Pollution UK"}],"subPages":[],"topPages":[],"hideMoreOnThisTopic":false,"hideItsThatEasy":false,"hideBecomeAPartner":false,"hideContentHeader":false,"guideLinks":[{"title":"National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Per Capita In The EU","link":"map"},{"title":"EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions vs EU Limits for 2020","link":"ghg-limits"},{"title":"UK vs EU: Comparing GHG Emission Development ","link":"uk-eu-comparison"},{"title":"How to Minimise Greenhouse Gas Emissions","link":"minimise-ghg"},{"title":"Methodology","link":"methodology"}]},"url":"/blog/2019/10/greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-country","version":"ac2a83a8524e6253e8813eee7189a636"}">

GreenMatch
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Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country

Last updated: 16 May 2023

Mapped: Greenhouse Gas Emissions by EU Country

Analysing the Progress Towards 2020 GHG Emission Targets

In 2007, the EU set targets for each of its member states to reduce overall pollution by 2020. One of the key goals in the 2020 climate and energy package, which was legislated in 2009, was a 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are gases in the Earth’s atmosphere that trap the sun’s heat, and therefore warm up the planet. This effect is also known as the ‘greenhouse effect’.

The main GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and fluorinated gases. GHGs occur naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere, but activities such as the burning of fossil fuels are increasing the levels of GHGs in the atmosphere, leading to climate change.

GreenMatch has mapped the top GHG emitters in the EU and highlighted which countries were performing well in relation to their 2020 targets, and those that were falling behind. Predictions about post-2020 GHG emissions targets were also carried out, based on each EU member state’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) trends.

Based on the research, the best performing countries in relation to their 2020 targets were the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain. These three countries, out of all the best-performing countries, were requested to decrease their emission rate from 2005. Yet, they managed to decrease their emissions substantially.

Moreover, a side-by-side comparison was made of the UK’s progress in GHG emissions reduction compared to the average EU country.

The elements used to carry out this study are:

National Greenhouse Gas Emissions Per Capita In The EU
EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions vs EU Limits for 2020
UK vs EU: Comparing GHG Emission Development
How to Minimise Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Methodology

National Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Capita in the EU

This interactive map illustrates the amount of GHG emissions per capita in the EU. The lighter the colour, the lower the rate of emissions is.

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The top three countries that pollute the least, are:

Sweden – 5.5 tonnes per capita
Malta – 5.5 tonnes per capita
Romania – 5.9 tonnes per capita

As illustrated on the map, Sweden was doing exceptionally well when it came to pollution per capita. In Sweden, the government makes it easy for every household to gain access to information about energy saving. All municipalities in Sweden have energy advisers to whom people can turn for help and guidance, such as switching to a different source of heating, like boilers and heat pumps.

On the other hand, the bottom three countries that pollute the most were:

Ireland – 13.3 tonnes per capita
Estonia – 16 tonnes per capita
Luxembourg – 20 tonnes per capita

As the map displays pollution per capita, Luxembourg’s GHG emissions were surprisingly high in relation to their small population.

A contributing factor to the high rate of emissions could be a large number of vehicles in the country. Luxembourg has been criticised for its air quality by the European Commission on the subject.

EU Greenhouse Gas Emissions vs EU Limits for 2020

As previously stated, the EU had set goals to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020. The 2020 targets of GHG emissions dictate the maximum level of emissions an EU country is permitted to reach.

This goal translates differently for the various members’ states, as the limits that have been set are based on the wealth of the individual countries.

Thus, countries with a lower GDP are permitted to emit a higher level of greenhouse gases, as their economy is dependent on activities that cause pollution. Nevertheless, less wealthy countries are still obligated to minimise their GHG emissions.

The base year for the dataset is 1990, measuring the average of all European countries. For the EU countries’ individual target limits, they were based on the GDP of each country, with the emission rates from 2005 as the calculation number. The charts below display the numbers in the index values.

Best Performing EU Countries

This interactive chart illustrates the difference between the actual emissions by the best performing EU countries in relation to the 2020 limits set by the EU.

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Of the countries listed, 71% were given a higher 2020 target due to their GDP figures. The majority of the countries were well within the threshold that was set for 2020.

Greece, Spain, Italy, and the UK, in particular, were doing well. All four countries were requested to decrease their emissions from their 2005 levels due to their national wealth, and yet still managed to stay within the target limit.

United Kingdom had a target limit of 75.3, and their result in 2017 was 62.4, which is 17.2% below the proposed threshold for 2020.
Spain had a target limit of 138.9, and its result in 2017 was 121.8, which is 12.3% below the proposed threshold for 2020.
Italy had a target limit of 98.2, and their result in 2017 was 84.1, which is 14.4% below the proposed threshold for 2020.
Greece had a target limit of 126.2, and its result in 2017 was 93.6, which is 25.9% below the proposed threshold for 2020.

Malta, on the other hand, had polluted a much more substantial amount in 2005, thus their national target limit was a lot higher. In addition, their GDP is a bigger concern than the target limit of emissions, therefore they were allowed to have an increase of 5%.

Worst Performing EU Countries

This interactive chart illustrates the difference between the actual emissions by the worst-performing EU countries in relation to their 2020 limits set by the EU.

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Of the countries listed, 21% were given a higher 2020 target due to their GDP. The majority of the countries listed on the graph here had either already exceeded their 2020 targets, or were on the verge of surpassing them.

The majority of the countries had moderate pollution levels in 2017, with the exception of Cyprus, which had the highest rate of GHG emissions – namely 155.7.

Estonia, Latvia, and Poland were the only countries in the worst-performing category that were allowed to have an increase in their emissions. Yet, they fared poorly because the difference between the target limit set by the EU and their actual emissions were the lowest.

Estonia had a target limit of 52.9 and their result in 2017 was 52, which was 1.8% below the proposed threshold for 2020.
Latvia had a target limit of 51.1 and their result in 2017 was 44.3, which was 13.4% below the proposed threshold for 2020.
Poland had a target limit of 97 and its result in 2017 was 87.7, which was 9.6% below the proposed threshold for 2020.

On the other hand, countries like Ireland, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany, Cyprus, and Luxembourg were requested to reduce their emission rates based on their 2005 levels, yet exceeded their 2020 target limits already by 2017. Inability to reduce their emissions by 2020 meant the risk of not fulfilling EU targets.

Overall, this chart showcases a bad trajectory for these countries, predicting their inability to adhere to the target limits set by the EU with such negative progression.

Emission Predictions Based on the Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

Knowing that national emission reduction targets were set according to the GDP of each individual EU country, we designed the economic forecast table of the EU.

This table clarifies that the lower GDP per capita, the more a country is allowed to pollute. On the other hand, countries that have higher GDP per capita are required to lower their emissions.

This table displays the forecast for the overall average growth of the GDP from 2017 to 2020. Alongside that, the real GDP per capita from 2018 and the national GHG emission targets for each European country are displayed, as well as the average result of all 28 EU countries.

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Based on each country’s annual GDP growth, we can assess which nations could be given a more demanding limit (e.g. decreasing emissions by up to 20%) after the next set of energy and climate targets are established under the “Effort-sharing decision”.

UK vs. EU: Comparing GHG Emission Development

The UK has done a lot to reduce its emissions, as evidenced by the decrease in GHG emissions in total compared to the average EU country. The UK has the second-highest GDP percentage share in Europe, therefore, it is important to discuss the relationship between the UK and EU.

The interactive line chart below demonstrates a comparison between the UK and the EU in terms of greenhouse gas emission development. The data illustrates the index numbers of GHG emissions, from 1990 to 2017.

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From the baseline year of 1990 until 1997, the EU had better results in reducing the total GHG compared to the UK.

From 1997 to 1999 both, the UK and the EU had similar progress from an index of 94.7 to around 92. However, from the year 1999 to 2017, the UK saw much greater development in reducing GHG emissions than the EU average did.

The UK’s 2020 target set by the EU was a 16% decrease in GHG emissions compared to its 2005 levels. In other words, the UK had to reduce its 89.7 index score to 75.3 by 2020.

On the other hand, the target for the EU as a whole stayed the same: a reduction of 20% compared to the base year of 1990.

Looking at the latest reports, it is clear that the UK made more significant progress, having their index at 62.4 compared to the EU, which is at 78.3.

How to Minimise Greenhouse Gas Emissions

It is not only up to the governments and companies of a country to ensure that GHG emissions are lowered. Households can also act to reduce GHG emissions, which will positively contribute to the overall situation.

In addition to recycling and being mindful of doing anything unsustainable, changing your domestic energy source can make a huge difference.

Investing in clean energy is one of the most effective ways to lower your carbon footprint and contribute to a greener planet. For example, sustainable households with solar panels or heat pumps are great home improvements you can make, and will help combat excessive burning of fossil fuels, and consequently, help limit the effects of climate change.

Methodology

For the data research, quantitative data that were available on Eurostat’s website were analysed. For some countries, qualitative data were also assessed in order to gain an explanation of why some countries might pollute more than others.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Capita in European Countries

National GHG Emissions in European Countries

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in European Countries

GHG Emission Comparison between the UK and the EU

Greenhouse Gas Emissions per Capita in European Countries

National GHG Emissions in European Countries

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in European Countries

GHG Emission Comparison between the UK and the EU

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Aris Vourvoulias, Former Writer

Aris Vourvoulias is the Head of Content in GreenMatch. Aris is a passionate author and marketer with an educational background in journalism. He continuously writes, reviews, and educates himself in the areas of business, finance, and renewable energy. He has managerial experience in many European markets, including UK, Denmark, Sweden, and Finland. He and his content team have been featured on reputable sites like GreenPeace, Guardian, iNews, Gizmodo, and more