Last year’s emissions under the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS) showed the largest reduction since the ETS scheme was launched in 2005.

As reported by Member States there has been a 15.5 per cent decrease in emissions in 2023, compared to 2022 levels. With this development, ETS emissions are now around 47 per cent below 2005 levels and well on track to achieve the 2030 target of a reduction of 62 per cent.

The biggest driver emissions reduction has been within the power sector, with emissions from electricity production having decreased by 24 per cent compared to 2022. This decrease is due to a substantial increase in renewable electricity production, at the expense of both coal and gas.

Energy intensive industry sectors saw a reduction of emissions of around 7 per cent, but aviation emissions increased compared to 2022 by around 10 per cent. This is a consequence of the aviation industry’s continued rebound from the traffic collapse during the pandemic.

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