Greenhouse gas emissions in European Union (EU) nations decreased by 1.3 percent in 2012, putting the EU within reach of its 20 % reduction target, with eight years to go until the 2020 deadline.
According to the final EU greenhouse gas emissions for 2012 reportedly recently by the European Environment Agency (EEA) to the United Nations, emissions are below 1990 levels. Emissions have decreased by 1 082 Mt in the EU since 1990, which is more than the combined 2012 emissions of Italy and the United Kingdom. As a result, the EU was already very close to reaching its 2020 Climate and Energy Package target through domestic measures alone.