LUXEMBOURG / RankWire.AI / – In the first quarter of 2026, greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union economy saw a slight increase. Eurostat reported seasonally adjusted emissions at 837 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, representing a 0.3% rise from the previous quarter. After revision, the fourth-quarter total was 835 million tonnes. During this same period, the EU’s gross domestic product showed no quarterly growth, providing a direct comparison between economic activity and emissions.
On an annual basis, the trend was different. Greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 1.2% compared with the first quarter of 2025, while EU GDP increased by 0.8%. The data include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, all measured in a common CO2-equivalent. The quarterly series tracks emissions from economic activities and households across all 27 member states and accounts for seasonal variations.
The most significant quarterly increase among main sectors came from energy-related activities. Emissions from electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply rose 4.8%. Water and waste activities increased by 0.7%. Household emissions fell 1.3%. Manufacturing, construction, and transportation and storage each saw a decline of 0.6%. Manufacturing remains the largest source, accounting for 20.8% of total emissions. Households follow closely at 20.2%.
Most EU nations see quarterly emission rises
During the first quarter, emissions increased in 20 EU member states and declined in seven. Estonia experienced the largest rise at 9.7%, with Finland at 6.4% and Bulgaria at 4.6%. These increases mainly stemmed from higher emissions in construction and energy supply. Slovenia saw the biggest decrease at 5.0%, while Luxembourg fell 3.8%, and Romania decreased 2.7% from the previous quarter.
Most of the countries with higher emissions also saw economic growth. Eighteen of the 20 member states with rising greenhouse gases reported GDP increases during the quarter. Among the seven countries that reduced emissions, Spain, Greece, France, and Slovenia either maintained or grew their economic output. The data highlight how emissions and GDP trends aligned across individual economies during the first three months of 2026.
Long-term decline persists despite short-term increases
Annual figures reveal a broader downward trend. In 2025, EU emissions from the economy and households totaled about 3.3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This was 17.2% below the total in 2015. These yearly figures include emissions from businesses, public activities, and households. They offer a more comprehensive view than the quarterly data, which focus on short-term changes in energy use and economic activity.
While the first-quarter data show a slight rise from late 2025, they also reflect a decline compared to the previous year. The European Union recorded higher annual economic output while greenhouse gas emissions decreased over the same period. Quarterly GDP remained unchanged from the previous three months. The latest data also reveal significant sector and country differences, with energy supply causing the largest sector increase. Several nations reported measurable reductions in emissions.