In all countries of the European Union, CO2 air pollution decreased last year. Eurostat calculated that emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels – such as oil, coal, and natural gas – dropped by 10 percent last year.
EU researchers say this is due to the travel restrictions imposed because of the coronavirus crisis, and also because the economy cooled down.
“In almost all EU member states, a reduction in the consumption of oil and related products was observed,” they state. “The consumption of natural gas declined in fifteen member states. On the other hand, the share of renewable energy sources – mainly generated by wind, water, and sun – in electricity supply showed a slight increase.”
The largest decrease was recorded in Greece, Estonia, and Luxembourg. In these countries, there was a shrinkage of 18 percent. Germany, responsible for a quarter of the total emissions of the European Union, reported a decrease of nearly 9 percent.
Despite this temporary reduction in air pollution, several European countries risk failing to meet their international climate targets for the year 2020. After the Dutch government was previously ordered by courts (in the Urgenda case) to comply with the Climate Agreements, courts in France and Germany have now also ruled that those countries must do more to combat emissions.
In addition, Poland is causing several bottlenecks. Poland was the only EU country that refused to commit to the Paris agreements to be emission neutral by mid-century.
Switzerland will also not meet its national climate target for 2020. Switzerland lags behind in reducing CO2 emissions. According to the federal government, the national climate target for 2020 will probably not be reached – neither in transport, nor in buildings, industry, or agriculture.