What we eat, how we live and how we travel affects the climate. However, the emissions that can be linked to our consumption often go under the radar in statistics and climate work. This is also the case in the EU, according to a new report.
Between 1990 and 2020, the territorial emissions in the EU decreased by 29 per cent, while global emissions increased by 63 per cent. However, this decrease does not reflect the EU's climate footprint outside the union's borders, due to the goods and services we import, according to a report from the Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI).
The EU's consumption-based emissions are disproportionately large compared to the number of inhabitants, according to SEI. In 2021, they amounted to 3.5 billion tonnes, which corresponds to 9 per cent of global emissions, while the EU accounts for 5.7 per cent of the world's population.
The starting point must be that all resources on earth are distributed fairly, says Katarina Axelsson, researcher at SEI and one of the report authors.
In Europe, we have high average incomes, we use more resources and contribute more to global emissions than many other countries.
Large differences
Currently, there is a lack of uniform methods for measuring and reporting consumption-based emissions. However, figures from the EU Commission show how the climate footprint from consumption varies between member states – with an average of 8 tonnes of CO2 per person and year. The average Swede is around this figure, while Denmark tops the list with 11.1 tonnes per person and Slovaks average 4.6 tonnes per year.
Almost 70 per cent of the EU's consumption-based emissions occur within the union and in trade between member states. When it comes to emissions imported embedded in goods, China accounts for the largest contribution among individual countries – a total of 8.5 per cent of the EU's consumption-based emissions.
When it comes to Sweden, approximately 60 per cent of the climate impact from the way we live and consume has occurred outside the country and been imported here, says Axelsson.
Meat, a climate villain
Food, housing and transport are the largest sources of consumption-based emissions in the EU. Within the food category, meat and dairy products have the largest climate footprint, while those living in small houses use more energy than those in apartment buildings.
The EU could take the lead in reducing emissions linked to consumption, according to the report authors. Among the challenges are a lack of coordinated measures and transparency in global supply chains.
Measures are also needed to reduce consumption patterns, says Axelsson.
Territorial emissions: Refers to greenhouse gas emissions produced within the geographical boundaries of a specific region, country or territory. These emissions occur as a result of activities such as the combustion of fossil fuels for energy, industry, transport and agriculture within territorial boundaries.
Consumption-based emissions: Refers to greenhouse gas emissions linked to the production of goods and services consumed by individuals, households or nations, regardless of where in the world the production takes place. Emissions from the entire supply chain are included.
Source: Stockholm Environment Institute
