EU Ranks 2nd After Russia in Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions - Eurostat

The European Union has reduced its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 23 percent since 1990, which is the second largest GSG reduction after Russia, according to a report issued by the EU statistics agency Eurostat on Tuesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to the report, the European Union managed to reduce the GHG emissions mostly by reducing the supply and the use of energy. Other industrialized countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and the United States have increased their greenhouse gas emissions over the same period, the report said.

"The EU has the second largest GHG emission reduction achieved so far after the Russian Federation (– 29 % in 2014 compared to 1990)," the report titled "Sustainable development: a glance at where the European Union stands" said.

The report also provides an overview of the current situation on sustainable development in the bloc, comprising the issues of safeguarding the natural environment, social matters and economic progress.

Greenhouse gases are capable of a trapping and holding heat in the atmosphere, while the increase of them provokes a greenhouse effect, which accelerates global warming.