In the first quarter of 2024, greenhouse gas emissions from the European Union’s economy decreased by 4%, reaching an estimated total of 894 million tonnes of CO2-equivalents (CO2-eq). This figure contrasts with the 931 million tonnes emitted during the same period in 2023. Despite the reduction in emissions, the EU’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) remained stable, with a slight growth of 0.3% compared to the previous year.
The CATCO2NVERS project could play a key role in continuing this trend of emissions reduction. This initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in bio-based industries by transforming waste CO2 from two sectors into five high-value chemicals: glyoxylic acid, lactic acid, furan dicarboxylic methyl ester (FDME), cyclic carbonated fatty acid methyl esters, and bio-methanol. These products have applications in the chemical, cosmetics, and plastics industries, replacing fossil-based materials and achieving zero or even negative greenhouse gas emissions.
CATCO2NVERS’ innovative approach not only helps mitigate industrial emissions but also promotes a circular economy by turning waste into valuable products, contributing to further reductions in emissions across more EU countries without compromising economic growth.
According to data published by Eurostat, the sectors that achieved the largest reductions were electricity and gas supply, with a 12.6% drop, and households, which reduced their emissions by 4.4%. This decrease in emissions occurred in 20 EU countries, with Bulgaria (-15.2%), Germany (-6.7%), and Belgium (-6.0%) recording the largest declines.
Although 8 of these countries also experienced an economic contraction, another 12, including Belgium, Spain, France, and Italy, managed to reduce their emissions while continuing to grow economically, highlighting the importance of sustainability in the European economy.
Source: eurostat
