Hope is rising in the climate fight from Europe. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels in the European Union fell by 8 percent in 2023 compared with 2022, reaching the lowest level seen in six decades, according to CREA, the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air. In Spain, the decline was about 7.5 percent, according to another study.
This drop stands as the second largest reduction since 2020, a year marked by pandemic restrictions.
Much of the decrease comes from a cleaner electricity mix, growing wind and solar capacity, and the role of nuclear and hydropower in the energy system.
Additional reductions came from lower emissions in industry and transportation, along with a contraction in overall energy demand helped by favorable weather patterns.
Traffic remains a notable source of emissions in the broader analysis.
According to the CREA report, the European Union reduced CO2 emissions tied to electricity generation by 25 percent in the previous year, bringing levels to about half of what they were in 2015.
Gas-related emissions dropped by 11 percent last year, while emissions from oil declined by 2 percent, according to the Helsinki-based CREA partner institutions.
CREA sources its data from official bodies such as Eurostat, the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas, and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity.
Clean energy remains central to cutting emissions, with a clear message that increased investment in infrastructure and technology for renewable energy sources will sustain reductions in CO2 levels.
CREA highlighted that a firm commitment to renewable energy can also lessen the EU’s dependence on oil from external producers.
7.5% decrease in Spain
Spain played a decisive role in the regional emissions decline last year. The rise of renewable energy helped the country close 2023 with a record low for greenhouse gas emissions, totaling 271.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, down from 283.8 MtCO2-eq in the previous year, according to a study by the Basque Center for Climate Change and the Observatory for Energy Transition and Climate Action. This result is described as a positive signal in the ongoing effort to decarbonize the Spanish economy and address climate change.
The study notes that emissions fell even as the economy grew, with gross domestic product rising by more than 2 percent. The conclusion emphasizes that emissions continue to fall sharply, signaling progress in decarbonization efforts.
Photographs associated with the report emphasize the role of solar and other clean energy solutions in reducing emissions.
End-of-2023 findings on greenhouse gas emissions in Spain show a historical low in the long-running data series that began in 1990. Emissions were also below the 1990 baseline for the first time, with a 5.6 percent reduction compared to that baseline. Mobility and economic activity were heavily affected by the pandemic, which also contributed to the decline.
Despite these gains, Spain’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan targets a 23 percent reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030 relative to 1990. Some assessments suggest raising this target further in the current plan update, with projections indicating a potential path to as much as 32 percent. The Basque Center for Climate Change and the Observatory for Energy Transition and Climate Action note that significant gains will require continued and enhanced emission reductions over the next seven years.
There remains a consensus in these analyses that ongoing improvements in energy efficiency, transportation systems, and the expansion of renewable capacity are essential to sustaining progress toward lower emissions while supporting economic activity. The trajectory points to a future where cleaner energy becomes a central pillar of both national and regional climate strategies.
Note: The discussion reflects research from CREA and collaborating institutions and relies on data from national and European authorities to track annual changes in emissions across sectors.