Increase in amount of air emissions between Q3 and Q4 of 2021; lack of data for changes in installed wind and solar power.
While new data is not yet available for the total amount of installed wind power capacity in the EU or for the EU’s total solar power capacity, new data is available for the amount of air emissions from greenhouse gases due to economic activity in the EU. Between quarter 3 (Q3) and quarter 4 (Q4) of 2021, the amount of air emissions from greenhouse gases due to economic activity increased from 881,238.425 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent to 1,041,453.11 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Therefore, there was an increase of 160,214.685 thousand tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Eurostat has posited that the reason for this increase is likely due to the economic rebound that the EU underwent after COVID-19, leading to there being greater emissions in sectors like manufacturing and electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply. As the economy began to become more productive again and more individuals were once again able to work, individuals had more money to spend, creating greater demand, supply, and greenhouse gas emissions related to these economic functions.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard EU Manager Brittany Demogenes
Learn More Resources:
https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/-/ddn-20220516-1