According to Eurostat statistics looking at EU country data for 2021, Malta has recorded the lowest value of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), marking 7.5 tonnes per employed person in 2021.

The statistics published on Friday showed that over the last decade, GHG emissions from the EU economy per employed person has decreased by 26%, or 3.6 tonnes.

In 2021, the emissions stood at 13.7 tonnes per employed person, compared with 17.3 in 2012, the statistics read.

The two factors contributing to this is a decrease in the GHG emissions as well as an increase in employment. The emissions per employed person showed a continuous decline until 2020, however, in 2021, there was an increase of 0.4 tonnes compared with the pandemic-affected year of 2020.

The statistics read that despite this, the GHG emissions per employed person in 2021 were still 6% lower than in the pre-pandemic year 2019.

The highest emissions per employed person were recorded in Ireland (22.8 tonnes per employed person), Poland and Denmark (both 21.4).

Malta (7.5 tonnes per employed person), Sweden (7.9) and Portugal (9.7) recorded the lowest values.

Eurostat statistics showed that in Ireland, most of the GHG are emitted by agriculture, forestry and fishing (41%), emitting 206 tonnes per employed person.

39% of the GHG emitted in Poland are for the supply of electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning (743 tonnes per employed person). Statistics showed that in Denmark, most emissions relate to transportation and storage (52%), or 241 tonnes per employed person.