Global GHG Emissions Reach Record High
The European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC) announced on September 9 that while global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reached a record high in 2024, the EU led the reduction trend. Global GHG emissions in 2024 totaled 53.2 gigatons in CO2 equivalent (excluding land use, land-use change, and forestry), increasing 1.3% from the previous year.
Global Emission Structure and Trends
Since 1990, emissions have increased at an average annual rate of 1.5%, with 2024 emissions up 65% compared to 1990. The main factor is increased fossil fuel-derived CO2 emissions in emerging countries such as China and India. For 2024 GHG emissions, China (29.2%), the US (11.1%), India (8.2%), the EU (5.9%), and Russia (4.8%) accounted for nearly 60% of global emissions.
EU's Reduction Performance
Among the 18 countries/regions accounting for more than 1% of global emissions, those achieving year-over-year reductions were the EU (1.8% decrease), Japan (2.8% decrease), Germany (1.6% decrease), and South Korea (0.3% decrease). Within the EU27, Germany (21.3%), France (11.9%), Italy (11.7%), Poland (11.0%), and Spain (9.0%) accounted for 65% of EU emissions.
Sectoral Reduction Status and 2030 Targets
By sector, all areas except transport and buildings showed year-over-year decreases, achieving a 35% reduction compared to 1990. While significant reductions are still needed to meet the 2030 target of 55% GHG emission reduction, the European Commission expects to achieve this goal based on analysis of National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) submitted by member states.
Competitiveness and Decarbonization Balance Challenges
In President Ursula von der Leyen's September State of the Union address, multiple parliamentary groups argued that the cost of purchasing $750 billion worth of natural gas and other resources from the US by 2028, as part of the tariff agreement with the US, should be directed toward clean transition and competitiveness enhancement within the region. With divergent opinions among parliamentary groups, continued implementation toward balancing competitiveness enhancement and decarbonization remains under scrutiny.