Carbon footprint in Europe: Ranking of countries by emissions per capita

The carbon footprint, i.e. the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per capita, varies significantly between individual countries in Europe. This measure is an important indicator for understanding the environmental impact of each state, as it takes into account not only industrial emissions, but also emissions from transport, heating and energy consumption in households. In this article, we look at the European countries with the largest and smallest carbon footprints per capita and analyze the factors that contribute to these differences.

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1. Luxembourg: 15.3 tonnes of CO₂ per inhabitant

Luxembourg it has the highest carbon footprint per inhabitant in Europe, which is mainly related to the high consumption of fuel and transport. The country has an extensive road system and is among the most economically wealthy countries in the world, leading to high consumption in the transport sector and an energy-intensive lifestyle.

2. Estonia: 13.4 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

High carbon footprint in Estonia it is mainly caused by dependence on fossil fuels, especially oil shale. Estonia has one of the highest energy emission intensities in Europe, which is also reflected in its high carbon footprint per capita.

3. Iceland: 12.2 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Despite that Iceland is known for its use of renewable energy sources, high per capita emissions are caused by its energy-intensive aluminum industry. Although most energy comes from geothermal and hydro sources, aluminum production is a strong source of emissions.

4. Ireland: 10.6 tons of CO₂ per capita

Ireland it has a relatively high carbon footprint per capita due to high emissions from agriculture, especially cattle farming. In addition, the country has high household energy consumption, which further contributes to the overall CO₂ footprint.

5. Czech Republic: 9.9 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Czech Republic it also has high emissions per capita, which is mainly due to the use of coal for the production of electricity and heat. Despite the gradual transition to renewable sources, coal remains the dominant energy source, increasing the overall carbon footprint.

6. Germany: 9.1 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Germany, as one of the largest economies in Europe, has high emissions due to its industrial production and transport. Although the country is investing in renewables and trying to reduce its dependence on coal, the transition is difficult and per capita emissions are still relatively high.

7. Poland: 8.9 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

IN Poland coal is the main source of energy, especially in the energy sector. Although the government supports the transition to renewable sources, coal remains an important part of Polish energy, leading to high emissions per capita.

8. Slovakia: 7.4 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Slovakia is placed in the middle part of the ranking. A significant part of the carbon footprint is made up of industrial emissions and emissions from transport. Slovakia is gradually switching to renewable sources, especially through projects in the field of solar and wind energy, but this is not yet enough to significantly reduce total emissions.

9. Italy: 5.9 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

IN Italy per capita emissions are relatively lower, thanks in part to the widespread use of renewable resources such as solar and hydropower. In addition, favorable climatic conditions reduce the need for heating, which contributes to a lower carbon footprint.

10. Sweden: 4.2 tons of CO₂ per capita

Sweden it is among the countries with the lowest carbon footprint per capita due to the intensive use of renewable energy sources such as hydro and wind power. At the same time, the country invests in sustainable agriculture and supports ecological transport.

11. France: 4.0 tons of CO₂ per capita

France it has a relatively low carbon footprint due to its dependence on nuclear power, which does not produce direct CO₂ emissions. In addition, the country promotes low-emission technologies in transport and industry, which further contributes to lower emissions per capita.

12. Portugal: 3.9 tons of CO₂ per capita

IN Portugal per capita emissions are low thanks to the use of renewable energy sources, especially wind and sun. Also, a mild climate means lower energy consumption for heating, which is reflected in a lower carbon footprint.

13. Austria: 3.7 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Austria it uses a large proportion of renewable resources, especially hydropower, and implements environmental initiatives such as the promotion of public transport and cycling. These measures help reduce total emissions per capita.

14. Denmark: 3.3 tons of CO₂ per capita

IN Denmark the carbon footprint per inhabitant is relatively low thanks to the intensive use of wind energy and the introduction of sustainable transport. Denmark is a leader in renewable energy and is implementing measures that further reduce emissions.

15. Malta: 2.6 tons of CO₂ per inhabitant

Malta it has one of the lowest carbon footprints in Europe, mainly due to its small area and limited industrial activity. In addition, the country is gradually introducing renewable energy sources, especially solar panels.

16. Norway: 2.5 tons of CO₂ per capita

Despite that Norway it is a large producer of oil, has low emissions per inhabitant thanks to the intensive use of hydropower plants and the introduction of electric cars. The government strongly supports sustainable technologies, which significantly reduce overall emissions.

Conclusion: Challenges and opportunities for reducing emissions in Europe

European countries differ in their per capita carbon footprint depending on their economic structure, energy sources and climate conditions. Countries with high emissions, such as Luxembourg, Estonia and Iceland, can be inspired by the success of countries with lower emissions, such as Norway, Denmark or Sweden, which use renewable resources and promote sustainable transport. If Europe wants to move closer to the goal of carbon neutrality, it will be necessary for all countries to increase their efforts and investments in green technologies, emission reduction and sustainable development. Spring