Smoke rises at the petrochemical plant in Etang de Berre, France. Photo: AFP/VNA

This represents the largest reduction seen in decades, falling by 37% compared to their 1990 level. The huge drop was led by a significant decline in coal use and growth of renewable energy sources and supported by reduced energy consumption across Europe, according to the report.

EEA estimates that the share of renewable energy has grown from 10% in 2005 to an estimated 24% of the EU’s gross final energy consumption by 2023. Further, the EU has managed to continue reducing its energy consumption: primary energy use has fallen by 19% since 2005, while final energy consumption saw a 11% reduction during the same timeframe, according to early estimates for 2023.