The EU saw its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) increase in 2010 over 2009 levels, but the European Environment Agency (EEA) said in a report that the growth was somewhat halted in part of the increase in renewable energy. Both economic recovery and a blistering winter caused the emissions to rise

 

GHG emissions in the EU increased by 2.4 % (or 111 million tons CO₂ equivalent) between 2009 and 2010, although the EU says it is still on track to meet its Kyoto target (the Kyoto Protocol became ineffective as of January 1, 2012). “Emissions increased in 2010. This rebound effect was expected as most of Europe came out of recession,” EEA Executive Director Jacqueline McGlade said. “However, the increase could have been even higher without the fast expansion of renewable energy generation in the EU.”

 

Yet just like previous years, the growth in the use of renewable energy sources continued in 2010 with a 12.7% increase of total consumption of energy from renewable sources. In addition, gas prices fell markedly in 2010 and EU total consumption of gas used for energy purposes went up by 7.4%.

 

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