Carbon intensity of the EU-27 economy

The carbon intensity of the EU economy in 2019 was 282 gCO2e per euro (in 2015 prices), down 33 % from 2005. Despite fluctuations in GDP, in particular at the time of the 2008 financial crisis, the steady decline in the EU’s carbon intensity has continued.
Although the five Member States with the highest carbon intensity remained the same from 2005 to 2019, each delivered significant reductions (Bulgaria -40 %, Poland -44 %, Czechia -38 %, Estonia -42 % and Romania -54 %). In 2019, as in 2005, Sweden and Denmark showed the lowest carbon intensity in the Union. Ireland jumped into third-lowest place, dropping below France, by delivering an over 50 % intensity reduction.