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Homes responsible for one quarter of European GHG emissions from energy

Home energy use is responsible overall for 25% of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, according to a new analysis from the European Environment Agency (EEA).

The report calculates emissions based on their 'end use', or the sector using the energy. Homes in the EU only emit 12% of energy emissions directly, but this doubles when related emissions from power plants and district heating are factored in.

The report, 'End-user GHG emissions from energy: Reallocation of emissions from energy industries to end users 2005-2009', demonstrates a new method of analysing the drivers of emissions by considering end user demand. The analysis redistributes 'indirect' emissions, mostly from oil refineries and plants generating electricity and heat, in order to calculate the overall emissions linked to each sector.

When the indirect emissions are considered, greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector double (from 12 to 25 %) and the commercial sector trebles (from 5 to 15 %). Industry jumps from 15 to 26% when indirect emissions are factored in. Transport causes relatively small indirect emissions, pushing transport emissions from 25 to 29 %.

Source: EEA