Eurostat: Greenhouse gas emission intensity in Cyprus have decreased

Greenhouse gas emission intensity in Cyprus decreased by 26.1% in 2023 compared to 2013, while also dropping by 32% in the EU during the same period, according to data released by Eurostat.

Greenhouse gas emissions intensity measures the amount of emissions (measured in CO2 equivalents) per unit of gross value added (measured in euro) in a given economy. A decrease in the emissions intensity means fewer emissions for the same amount of economic value added.

In the case of the EU, greenhouse gas emissions intensity decreased by 32% from 2013 to 2023 while the EU economy simultaneously increased its value added (+19%). In Cyprus, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 26.1% took place at the same time as the country’s economy increased its value added by 48.3%.

The largest reductions in emissions intensity were recorded in Estonia (-61%), Ireland (-50%) and Slovenia (-41%).

By contrast, Austria (-17%), Lithuania (-17%), and Luxembourg (-19%) made moderate reductions in the greenhouse gas emissions intensity.

When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions by economic activities and households in absolute numbers, emissions in the EU totalled 3.4 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalents according to Eurostat.

This represents a 7% decrease compared with 2022 and 18% reduction compared with 2013. Eurostat did not provide data on changes per member state.

Between 2013 and 2023, producers in almost all economic activities reduced their greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply achieved the sharpest rate of decline and the largest overall decrease, with a 43% drop (448 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents).

During this period, 3 other economic activities also recorded double digit reductions: mining and quarrying (-25%, 18 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents), services (-20%, 54 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents), and manufacturing (-17%, 142 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents).

The only economic activity with more emissions was transportation and storage, with a 14% increase in 2023 compared with 2013.

At the same time, there was a 14% decline in greenhouse gas emissions by households (110 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents).

(Source: CNA)