20. Czech Republic
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -25.19%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -44.79% — #11 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 88.04 — #43 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -25.17% — #34 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
The Czech Republic has succeeded in creating and utilizing renewable sources of energy. However, industrial pollution is still an issue in the Central European country. The European Commission is urging the Czech Republic to reduce the use of diesel-powered vehicles in cities such as Prague, Brno, and Ostrava.
19. Spain
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -26.41%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 62.63% — #93 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 209.07 — #30 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -26.90% — #41 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
Spain, which accounts for 9% of the European Union’s total GHG emissions, is proposing to cut its carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. Between 2005 and 2019, Spain cut emissions by 27%, better than the EU average.
18. France
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -26.54%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -43.79% — #12 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 276.84 — #21 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -27.03% — #32 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2020: -23.81% — #11 largest decline of 88
France, one of the first European countries to pass a carbon neutrality law, has a national law aiming to slash emissions by 40% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. The French plan to do this is by shutting the country’s remaining coal plants by 2022. Despite its intentions, some in France believe the government is not doing enough. This past February, a French court convicted the French government of failing to show enough progress in meeting its legally binding emission reduction targets.
17. Belgium
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -26.88%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -31.00% — #18 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 83.81 — #45 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -24.43% — #29 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
Belgium accounts for just 3.3% of the total EU GHG emissions. It has reduced emissions at a slower pace than the EU average since 2005, according to a European Parliament report.
16. Luxembourg
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -27.06%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -38.04% — #16 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 8.18 — #111 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -43.50% — #14 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
The tiny country of Luxembourg, which produces 0.34% of the EU’s total GHG output, hopes to slash emissions by up to 55% by 2030 compared with 2005. In Luxembourg, almost half of all emissions are tied to transportation, and transport emissions have been reduced by 14% since 2005.
