CO2 emissions rise in 2017 versus 2016 in EU

CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the European Union rose by 1.8% in 2017 compared to 2016, says Eurostat. CO₂ stands for carbon dioxide. Eurostat provides statistical information to the institutions of the European Union (EU).

Carbon dioxide accounts for approximately eighty percent of all EU greenhouse gas emissions. It is a significant contributor to global warming.

What influences CO₂ emissions?

According to Eurostat, industrial activity, transport, population sizes, and GDP growth influence CO₂ emissions. GDP stands for gross domestic product. Transport, i.e., vehicles, airplanes, trains, and ships, also influence levels of carbon dioxide emissions.

The imports and exports of energy products also have an impact on carbon dioxide emissions. Particularly in the country that burns fossil fuels.

For example, importing of coal leads to a rise in emissions. Electricity imports, on the other hand, do not directly affect emissions in the importing nation. The country that exports electricity, on the other hand, does report CO₂ emissions.

CO₂ emissions – by country

Malta and Estonia registered the highest increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while Finland and Denmark reported the lowest.

Eurostat reports that, according to its estimates, CO₂ emission rose in most EU Member States.

Largest increases in CO₂ emissions

The following EU Member States recorded the highest emissions:

– Malta +12.8%

– Estonia +11.3%

– Bulgaria +8.3%

– Spain +7.4%

– Portugal +7.3%

Biggest declines in CO₂ emissions

The following EU Member States recorded the greatest falls:

– Finland -5.9%

– Denmark -5.8%

– United Kingdom -3.2%

– Ireland -2.9%

– Belgium -2.4%

– Latvia -0.7%

– Germany -0.2%

Global warming

Global warming refers to the rise in temperatures of our planet’s oceans and atmosphere. The majority of scientists today believe that the rise in temperatures are due to the greenhouse effect.

Machines that humans make and other activities emit pollution, including CO₂, a greenhouse gas.

These emissions subsequently exacerbate the greenhouse effect.

Since 1880, the average temperature of our planet’s lower atmosphere has gone up by 0.6°C. However, the rate of temperature increase is accelerating.

By 2070, scientists forecast that temperatures will be 1.5°C to 2°C higher than they are now.

The main greenhouse gases are:

– CO₂

– Ozone (O₃)

– Methane (CH₄