Portugal sees second-largest increase in greenhouse gas emissions in EU in 2025

Portugal experienced a 4.2% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, ranking as the second-largest increase in the European Union. This information was released by the European Commission in its Intercalar Report on EU Climate Action 2026 and the Carbon Market Report. The reports highlight that while emissions decreased in 19 EU member states, they increased in eight, including Portugal.

The European Union as a whole saw a 1.6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, the European Commission emphasized the need for a more accelerated pace of reductions to meet the 2030 climate objectives. Italy had the highest increase at 5.8%, followed by Portugal and then Spain at 2.2%, primarily driven by the forest sector.

Nine EU member states, including Germany, are currently not on track to meet their 2030 environmental targets. As a result, the European Commission has requested that these countries present corrective measures. The list of countries that need to accelerate their efforts includes Austria, Croatia, Cyprus, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, and Sweden.

Germany and Italy, being the first and third-largest economies in the EU, respectively, are among those required to implement corrective actions. According to the report, the current projections indicate that emissions covered by the Effort Sharing Regulation are expected to decrease by approximately 38.5% by 2030 compared to 2005. This is slightly below the EU's target of a 40% reduction.

The report also noted significant disparities among member states in terms of their expected emission reductions. Before applying the flexibilities provided by the Effort Sharing Regulation, Germany, Ireland, and Malta are projected to have the largest deviations from their 2030 targets. Conversely, Bulgaria, Greece, and Portugal are expected to have the largest surpluses relative to their 2030 targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation.

The European Commission highlighted the severity of forest fires in 2025, which burned over 1 million hectares in Europe, a record high. The Iberian Peninsula experienced particularly severe fires in August. These fires also led to record-high emissions in Europe. The conditions that led to these extensive fires included a combination of wet winters and springs, followed by persistent droughts and repeated heatwaves.

The increase in greenhouse gas emissions in Portugal and other countries is a concern for the European Commission, especially given the need for accelerated reductions to meet the 2030 climate goals. The commission's reports serve as a reminder of the challenges that EU member states face in balancing economic activities with environmental protection.

Key points

• Portugal had a 4.2% increase in greenhouse gas emissions in 2025, ranking as the second-largest increase in the EU.
• Nine EU member states, including Germany, are not on track to meet their 2030 environmental targets and must present corrective measures.
• The European Union aims for a 40% reduction in emissions covered by the Effort Sharing Regulation by 2030 compared to 2005.