Greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the European Union 1990-2022, by country

Luxembourg had the highest per capita GHG emissions in the EU-27 in 2022, at 12.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e/cap). This was almost double the EU-27 average that year. By comparison, Malta and Sweden had the lowest per capita emissions in 2022, at less around four tCO₂e/cap.

Per capita emissions reductions

Nearly all EU-27 member states have experienced per capita emissions reductions over the past three decades. Luxembourg's per capita emissions, for example, have fallen by more than 60 percent when compared to 1990 levels. Overall, average EU-27 per capita emissions have dropped by more than 40 percent since 1990.

Who is the EU's largest GHG emitter?

In terms of overall emissions, Germany is by far the biggest GHG polluter in the EU-27, having generated some 670 MtCO₂e in 2023. Italy and France followed, with both countries emitting roughly 380 MtCO₂e that year.