LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In the first quarter of 2026, greenhouse gas emissions across the European Union saw a small uptick. Eurostat reported seasonally adjusted emissions at 837 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, marking a 0.3% increase from the previous quarter. The revised total for the fourth quarter was 835 million tonnes. During this period, EU gross domestic product remained flat, providing a direct comparison between economic output and emissions.
However, on an annual basis, the trend was opposite. Greenhouse gas emissions declined by 1.2% compared to the first quarter of 2025, while EU GDP grew by 0.8%. The data encompass carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, all expressed in a common CO2-equivalent measurement. The quarterly figures track emissions from economic activities and households across all 27 member states, adjusting for seasonal variations.
Energy-related sectors experienced the most significant quarterly increase, with emissions from electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply rising 4.8%. Water and waste management activities increased by 0.7%, while household emissions fell by 1.3%. Conversely, manufacturing, construction, and transportation and storage each decreased by 0.6%. Manufacturing remained the primary source, representing 20.8% of total emissions, followed closely by households at 20.2%.
Most EU nations see quarterly emission gains
During the first quarter, emissions rose in 20 EU countries and declined in seven. Estonia experienced the largest increase at 9.7%, with Finland at 6.4% and Bulgaria at 4.6%. These rises were partly driven by higher emissions from construction and energy supply. Slovenia recorded the largest decrease at 5.0%, while Luxembourg’s emissions dropped 3.8% and Romania’s decreased 2.7% compared to the previous quarter.
Most countries with rising emissions also saw an increase in economic output. Eighteen of the 20 nations with higher greenhouse gas levels reported GDP growth during the quarter. Among the seven countries with reductions, Spain, Greece, France, and Slovenia either maintained or increased their economic activity. These figures illustrate how emissions and GDP movements aligned across individual economies during the first three months of 2026.
Long-term decline persists below 2015 levels
Annual data reveal a continued downward trend in emissions across the EU. In 2025, greenhouse gas emissions from the economy and households totaled approximately 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, which is 17.2% lower than in 2015. These yearly figures include emissions from businesses, public sectors, and households, offering a broader perspective than the quarterly data, which focus on short-term changes in energy consumption and economic activity.
Thus, the first quarter shows a slight increase compared to late 2025 but a decline relative to the same period last year. The European Union recorded higher annual GDP alongside lower greenhouse gas emissions. The latest quarterly data also highlight considerable sectoral and country variations, with energy supply driving the largest sector increase and multiple nations showing measurable reductions.