The first step to reduce your carbon footprint is to measure it. Here, we compare the best carbon footprint calculators on the internet.

5 Best Carbon Footprint Calculators

Reducing your carbon dioxide and GHG emissions isn't something that can be done on a whim, just like any other long-term goal – as you’ll need to determine your current carbon footprint to understand where is best to start in your new climate journey.

No matter which language you speak, where in the world your household or company is located, or the surrounding communities your business is established in – they’re usually quick and easy to use, giving you developed, actionable results in a matter of minutes.

💡 One of the best ways to measure your current environmental impact is with a carbon footprint calculator.

‍The great thing about carbon footprint calculators is that they’re usually quick and easy to use, and can give you tangible results in a matter of minutes – coupled with personalized action plans according to your carbon footprint calculation.

This is done as carbon footprint calculators ask questions about your habits: such as such as your consumption of fuel oil, waste, use of gasoline, how many hours you drive your type of car on average, how many tons of propane or carbon dioxide you emit per gallon, or total amount of clothes purchased per year, and efforts to recycle. 

After the click of a few buttons and few calculations, you’ll have an idea of your current CO₂ levels and how to save tons moving forward.

👉 Essentially, once you know your company's carbon impact, it'll be easier to jump-start the journey to reducing your environment impact.

There are a lot of carbon footprint calculators on the internet offering to help you measure your footprint and do your bit to mitigate climate change, but luckily – we’ve compiled the top 5 carbon footprint calculators for you to begin your journey to carbon neutrality.

Why is Using a Carbon Footprint Calculator Important?

A Carbon Footprint Calculator is important as it is one of the most useful tools in the fight to combat climate change as it helps individuals and companies alike better understand their environmental impact and to take effective action towards reducing their ecological footprint.

Think of a carbon footprint calculator the same way a trainer will way you on the scale, or a savings account in a bank will tell you how much further you have to go until you reach your goal. People and businesses who opt to determine their current environmental impact before seeking to reduce it can gain better insight into what is required for them to reach their climate-related goals.

Learn the steps involved in calculating your company's greenhouse gas emissions from bill and utility meter data.  Covers use of emission factors and global warming potentials.

DISCLAIMER: This presentation is provided for informational purposes only.  All definitions and methodologies are presented in a general context only.  This presentation is not a substitute for formal education and training.

How to Calculate Greenhouse Gas Emissions

💡 Many companies will adjust their energy usage calculated based on how many carbon credits a company should purchase to help in offsetting their emissions from various land usage, destruction of forests, or other various projects which create excess emissions. 

Here are a few other reasons why reducing your individual or company carbon footprint is important in the U.K.:

In 2022 alone, the United Kingdom produced 406.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – making it imperative for individuals and businesses alike across the nation to make an effort to remain mindful of the environment;

Helps to prevent the world from exceeding global surface temperatures by 1.5 °C or on a catastrophic scale;

Promote the importance of protecting the planet regardless of what some Brits think about climate change;

Assists companies within the U.K. to comply with other environmental regulations and nation-wide protocols, such as with the 10 Point Plan, the U.K.'s Net Zero Strategy, and more.

👉 When it comes to any effort to reducing your individual or company-wide carbon footprint, knowledge is power – meaning that knowing more about your current impact could actually help you to reduce it further down the road.

Our Top 5 Carbon Footprint Calculators in the U.K.

There are a wide-variety of options to choose from if your company is looking to better understand its current environmental impact, or even if you want to know how much your individual household emits every month.

We've complied our top 5 calculators that individuals and businesses in the U.K. alike can use to kick-start their climate journey.

Our calculator at Greenly is the perfect option for all business regardless of size and sector – as our personalized team of climate-experts will be sure to guide you through every step of the way to understand which sustainable actions will prove most effective to mitigate further negative impacts.

Greenly specializes in corporate carbon tracking. Our focus is to help businesses measure, track, and reduce their environmental impact.

Greenly’s carbon calculator boasts a user-friendly interface and aesthetically appealing website that makes it fun to find out your carbon footprint.

Greenly calculates your footprint based on the number of employees, size of office space, company vehicles, heat source, business flights and transportation, and office electronics.

💡 Greenly’s paid platform offers more in-depth analysis and updated carbon tracking. 

When you subscribe to our services as Greenly, you can add your recent purchases and consumption data to our database, and we'll show your carbon emission trends over time, while making recommendations about areas where these negative impacts can be reduced in an approachable manner.

The biggest benefit of Greenly's carbon calculator is the in-depth, intuitive carbon tracking service we offer to businesses in all industries. 

Here are just a few of the benefits when choosing Greenly to calculate your carbon footprint:

We store data and track changes to show you the effect that they have on your company’s carbon output

We have a simple, user-friendly interface and an easy-to-navigate platform

We're fully committed to our mission of helping businesses reverse climate change, as we're a certified B corporation

💡 In addition to this, Greenly offers services to help companies comply with the requirements of CSRD, SBTi, and even a climate app store to support companies in their climate journey.

However, it's important to remember that Greenly's carbon calculator is designed for business use, not personal use.

Created by the University of California, Berkeley to help users track and reduce their carbon dioxide emissions, the CoolClimate calculator is the most comprehensive personal ecological footprint calculator on the list.

CoolClimate may be the right climate tool for you if:

You're looking to become more sustainable in your everyday life and implement green living practices

You work remotely and want to better understand your ecological habits while working from home

CoolClimate offers a comprehensive analysis of household carbon emissions. Use the ‘Advanced’ section to go below surface level emissions and really dissect the impact that your habits have on the environment. If you live in the United States, you can use regional data to get a more accurate picture of your carbon footprint.

👉 The main con of CoolClimate is that if you live outside the United States, the estimate generated won’t be completely accurate. 

Alternative Choice for Those Outside the United States

Do you live outside of the United States and worry that CoolClimate may not be as effective for you? 

Try OCE's carbon footprint calculator – which offers region specific data as you fill out the questionnaire. However, it is important to remember that while this calculator can be used for businesses, it is best suited for individual use.

💡 Ultimately, you can still use CoolClimate's calculator to get an idea of your environmental impact and recommendations to improve your ecological footprint, but they'll be based on the energy grid of the United States, and might give you a skewed reading of your carbon footprint.

Carbon Footprint Ltd provides a comprehensive service that allows you to measure, reduce, and offset your carbon footprint. An added bonus for businesses is that CarbonFootprint.com also provides guidance to comply with certain climate regulations.

Based in the UK, Carbon Footprint Ltd is made for businesses to track their carbon emissions and improve their ecological footprint. However, they also offer a complete calculator for individuals as well – making this a great choice for both households and companies.

The CarbonFootprint.com calculator allows for better regional calculation than most carbon calculators. Accumulating data on worldwide emissions is no small task, but this calculator does a pretty good job. 

💡 While not as accurate as a region-specific carbon footprint calculator might be, it is the best option on this list for calculating environmental impact anywhere in the world – making it great for those with more than one residence or business offices located across the globe.

This calculator also allows you to offset your emissions directly through the website once you’ve calculated your impact.

Carbon Footprint Ltd offers great resources for businesses to track, reduce, and comply. A lot of policy help is available on their website to ensure businesses know what is needed of them to report and comply with their standards.

👉 The only real downside of the CarbonFootprint.com calculator is that their user interface is functional, but not state-of-the-art. It crunches data well but lacks the bells and whistles accompanying some of the other calculators on this list. If you don’t care about user-interface or design and just want results, Carbon Footprint Ltd is a great option.

4. Conservation International Carbon Footprint Calculator

Conservation International has been working since 1987 to protect our environment and help others understand the vital role that nature plays in society. Their conservation efforts have saved more than 6 million km2 of land across 70 different countries.

To supplement their environmental stewardship, they’ve engineered a CO₂ calculator for individuals, households, events, and single trips.

Conservation International might be the right calculator for you if:

Contributing to global biodiversity and protecting humanity are imperative from your point-of-view

Preserving oceans, air quality, and global economies amidst climate change are important to you

You're looking for a calculator that bases its findings via science and intensive data research

The big benefit to using Conservation International’s carbon calculator is that they are a trusted conservation organization and they provide you an instant tax-deductible outlet to offset your carbon emissions.

The drawback of this ecological footprint calculator are that it is not region specific — nor is it particularly detailed. It provides a simple estimate of your carbon calculation, but cannot provide locale-specific details – which can prove helpful when looking to reduce your ecological impact.

👉 Overall, Conservation International is a great service for those looking to buy offsets, but it's light on the detail and information for those looking to track and reduce their carbon footprint long-term.

The UN has their own calculator to round out our list. The massive multilateral organization is committed to promoting environmental stewardship and, love them or hate them, they have plenty of experience in the sector.

However, their calculator is a relatively basic tool to calculate personal carbon emissions and doesn’t dive deep into the intricacies of carbon emissions the way you might expect from an organization with the resources of the United Nations.

The UN's carbon footprint calculator offers the following features:

Country-specific data to help your household or business measure their impact to a tee

Pre-selected carbon offset projects to help you further reduce your impact

Collaborative efforts including working to partner with indigenous communities 

The major pros of using the UN’s carbon calculator are that you can use country-specific data and select the exact project that you want your carbon offset purchases to go to.

👉 The main drawback of the UN calculator are that they don’t provide an in-depth picture of your carbon footprint. They collect minimal data and generate an estimated footprint based on your inputs.

It’s good for a quick calculation of your footprint and selecting a specific carbon offset project to fund, but it is not the deep dive into your habits that will help you track and reduce your carbon emissions over the long haul.

Tackling climate change is a big task, but there are clear ways of cutting your contribution to carbon emissions, also known as your carbon footprint.

This is how changing three aspects of your life can make a difference.

Climate Change: Your carbon footprint explained - BBC News

Overall, there are several carbon footprint calculators to choose from, but regardless of your decision in the end – choosing any of these calculators will be sure to help your company or household jump-start its efforts to a more sustainable future.

Remember, if you still don't know where to start – Greenly is always here to help!

If reading this article on the best 5 carbon footprint calculators has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

At Greenly we can help you to assess your company’s carbon footprint, and then give you the tools you need to cut down on emissions. We offer a free demo for you to better understand our platform and all that it has to offer – including assistance with boosting supplier engagement, personalized assistance, and new ways to involve your employees.

Click here to learn more about Greenly and how we can help you reduce your carbon footprint. 

How is Halloween bad for the environment, and what could be done to celebrate it more sustainably?

Let's make Halloween more sustainable!

Halloween is one of the most coveted fall holidays in the U.S. every year: as Americans of all ages decorate their homes, host parties, go trick or treating with their kids, or get dressed up in costumes for work or school. 

It’s the time of year where pumpkins become even more prominent on every corner, and CVS and Target are covered in witches hats, spider webs, and other halloween decor just waiting to be bought for a halloween party.                     

No country in the world celebrates Halloween quite like Americans, yet ironically – Americans often don’t know the detrimental environmental impact of Halloween themselves.

Whether it be by reducing your food waste with eco-friendly halloween decorations, halloween treats, or shopping at a local thrift store to make your own costume – there are lots of ways to make spooky season mores sustainable.                                                                                           

👉 Why is Halloween so bad for the planet, and how can Americans change their Halloween habits to be more environmentally friendly?

Halloween, celebrated every October 31st, originally penned as,  "All Hallow’s Eve” – is an old tradition that originated in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the north of France from an ancient tribe called, “The Celts”. 

Where does the tradition of a Halloween party come from?

Every Hallow’s Eve, the night before all Saint’s Day which is still celebrated in Europe to this day on November 1st, the Celts held a festival called Samhain – where they would light bonfires, wear costumes, and do all sorts of things out of the norm in attempts to scare of ghosts. The Celts believed that every year on the evening of October 31st, the living and dead were able to walk amongst the same realm of the world. November 1st was known as the  new year to the Celtic region back then, therefore – the annual attempt to ward off ghosts or other supernatural spirits was also to ensure that the new year would be free of evil.

👉 Halloween originated in Europe, and took some time before it became popular in North America. The first colonists weren’t dedicated to celebrating All Hallow’s Eve because of their Protestant beliefs, which didn’t adhere to evil spirits or ghosts. 

However, Halloween picked up in regions of the U.S. like the Mid-Atlantic and the South. The combination of the original Halloween in European and American Indians helped to create many of the rituals Americans use to celebrate Halloween with today: like holding “play parties” where they would pretend to be something they weren’t, events to celebrate the autumn seasons harvest – like the infamous pumpkin used to symbolise Halloween today, share scary stories, and read one another’s future in the style of a Fortune Teller. 

Halloween: pumpkins, candy and ridiculous costumes take over the streets. A predicted $6.9 billion will be spent in the US this year. And it’s becoming a bigger deal on this side of the Atlantic too – over £300 million was spent last year on celebrating Halloween.
But there’s more to the 31st of October than pumpkins and party gear. Its origins lie not in the US, but back here in Britain. And instead of carving pumpkins, we should probably be trimming turnips.

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Halloween: Why do we carve pumpkins? - BBC News

How did Halloween become what is is today?

By the second half of the 19th century, even more people came to the land now known as U.S. – especially many Irish that had to flee due to the Irish Potato Famine. These new Irish settlers helped to make Halloween what it is today by encouraging the celebration of All Hallow’s Eve to the initial colonisers. Slowly, Halloween became what it is today – with carving pumpkins, festive gatherings, costume wearing, trick-or-treating and candy eating working their way into the annual traditions in the colonies over time. 

From there, as industrialisation began and Americans started to culminate their materialistic and commercial values, and a little help from being under the influence of Target – that’s how the U.S. got to celebrating Halloween the way that they do now. 

Halloween is no doubt festive and fun, but has what Halloween has become today made the planet cringe in exchange? 

You know what Americans say – ”the bigger, the better”. That’s essentially what happened with Halloween over the years since the first settlers came to the U.S. from Europe. 

Today, Americans celebrate Halloween by having parties (from work gatherings to full-blown college parties), getting dressed in costumes, and most of all: trick or treating – a tradition where kids walk around the neighborhood and go door to door saying, “trick or treat” and ask for candy. This is derived from the tradition of the Celts trying to ward off the scary spirits, where in present day – children are emanating the evil spirits and threatening to either give them a piece of candy, or face the malicious consequences. 

Is an eco-friendly Halloween popular in the U.S.?

👉 Americans tend to go all out for Halloween: purchasing boat-loads of pre-packaged candy, plastic Halloween themed cutlery, pumpkins for carving, internal and external house decorations, and a new costume every year.

Therefore, most Americans don't think about buying eco-friendly halloween candy, using locally grown pumpkins, cardboard boxes, or wearing a specific costume to allign with zero waste to create their spooky atmosphere for Halloween – especially when there are kids involved.

How do the newfound American Halloween traditions impact the environment? 

#HalloweenDecor #halloweenrecipes #halloweenparty 

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DECORATE WITH ME // HALLOWEEN PARTY RECIPES, DECOR AND SET UP // HOW TO HOST A HALLOWEEN PARTY IDEAS

Why is Halloween so bad for the environment?

Halloween is scary, but it’s even scarier for the environment. Even the classic symbol for Halloween, a carved pumpkin – is abysmal for landfill. 

💡 In the U.S. alone, 900,000 tonnes of pumpkins produced will be tossed in the garage instead of being used for pumpkin carving or pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving. 

Basically, most of the pumpkins Americans are picking up at the pumpkin patch will ultimately be wasted. In fact, according to the USDA – the waste created by pumpkins totals to a whopping 1.3 billion pounds of waste.

👉 What’s even worse, is that pumpkins aren’t just wasted in the end, but that they require an exorbitant amount of water to grow in the first place – needing up to 304 fluid ounces (2.375 gallons) of water per hectare for water irrigation, sowing, and the final harvest.

Some states are bigger on pumpkin waste than others, with Illinois being the first of the top six states producing pumpkin – totaling at a harvest worth nearly 16,000 acres in 2021. Given this data, it can be presumed that Illinois used an alarming 127,200 megalitres last year for their pumpkin patches. Other top states that create massive amounts of pumpkin waste include Indiana, California, Michigan, Texas, and Virginia. 

Plastic usage during Halloween & lack of eco-friendly halloween candy

As Halloween usesmore plastic than paper bags, and given that eco-friendly candy has yet to be the norm – plastic wrappers are a massive issue during Halloween.

Therefore, the most notable deleterious effect Halloween has on the environment is the excessive use of plastic throughout the holiday. Candy, often bought in bulk in preparation for dozens of Halloween trick-or-treaters, is often bought in plastic packaging – with famous candies like Twix, Snickers, Milk Way, Reece’s Cups, Starbursts, M&M’s, and Skittles being wrapped in single use, individual plastic packaging.

While this serves as a year round plastic consumption problem for the U.S. the truth is – a large portion of these plastic packaged candies are purchased during Halloween in the U.S., with a quarter being sold during Halloween season. 

💡 Plastic is the main culprit behind the monstrous carbon footprint of Halloween: as next to everything used for Halloween is made out of plastic or uses plastic in some way – such as traditional packaged Halloween candy, indoor and outdoor Halloween decorations, trick or treating bins, and even the costumes purchased from retailers like Target, Walmart, or Party City. 

Impact of Halloween decorations & costumes

👉 The problem with Halloween costumes is that they’re mostly made out of polyester – in fact, most of the costumes are made completely out of polyester. As polyester is the most produced synthetic fiber in the world, it contributes immensely to textile waste. For instance, nearly 40 million tonnes of polyester was produced around the world back in 2015 – and Halloween just adds to that alarming number.

Synthetic fibers, like polyester, aren’t just an environmental problem because of  their waste and inevitable end floating in the ocean – but due to the  fact they are produced with oil, a finite resource.

Annually, 500,000 tonnes of plastic fibers flood our oceans –  which is equivalent to the amount of 50 billion plastic bottles. In addition to this, the ADEME revealed in a study that 90% of microplastics found on Sweden rivers were related to the synthetic fibers in textile garments – such as the costumes made for Halloween, making Halloween costumes the worst of all fast fashion.

Halloween has even extended to American’s pets, too – with Americans having spent an alarming $500 million on costumes for their pets last Halloween. Many of these costumes are worn once and then never worn again, meaning that Halloween also contributes to the environmentally harmful ideals of fast fashion.

💡 A potential solution to implement sustainable living into your halloween celebrations this season is to swap costumes with friends. By sharing costumes you each wore the year before, you can avoid the use of excess materials in our landfills and make your Halloween more green.

Halloween uses a lot of plastic, which isn’t good for the environment – buy why? 

Plastic is even worse for the planet than you may think. Plastic has proven itself to be a culprit in the grand scheme of global warming – as the production of plastic contributes to excessive greenhouse gasses that provoke further climate change, and also create colossal amounts of waste.

Plastic is popular for things like Halloween as it can easily be molded into any shape desired – such as for skeleton decorations or pumpkin trick-or-treating baskets. It’s easy, lightweight, and often inexpensive – but the biggest problem with plastic is that it isn’t biodegradable… and Halloween uses a lot more plastic than other holidays like Christmas or Thanksgiving. 

👉 It turns out that the scariest part of Halloween might be how much plastic is used. In the United States, almost 12 million pounds of textile created for Halloween costumes are wasted – as many costumes are thrown away after use. 

You may think that your Halloween costumes, decorations, and used candy wrappers are easily recyclable – but the problem is that most plastic doesn’t even get recycled to begin with, or it’s placed in the wrong recycling bin and ends up in landfills instead. In addition to the fact that recycling management is questionable at the current moment, most candy wrappers from Halloween candies can’t even be recycled to begin with. Turns out, the parents often ridiculed for trying to offer healthy snacks weren’t just looking out for trick-or-treater’s health – but also the planet’s. 

Is there a way to move forward with your Halloween plans without sacrificing the planet’s journey to sustainability?

CNBC's Jane Wells takes a look at the top best most popular Halloween candy.
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America’s Most Popular Halloween Candy | CNBC

America’s Most Popular Halloween Candy | CNBC

Here are some of the benefits to a having a more sustainable halloween:

<table border="1">
  <tr>
    <th>Benefit</th>
    <th>Description</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Reduced Costs</td>
    <td>Reusing costumes and decorations lowers the need for new purchases, making the party more affordable.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Less Waste</td>
    <td>Recycling materials and repurposing items minimises waste from single-use products.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Lower Carbon Footprint</td>
    <td>Eco-friendly choices like energy-efficient lighting and local foods reduce environmental impact.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Community Awareness</td>
    <td>Hosting sustainable events raises awareness and promotes eco-consciousness among attendees.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Support for Local & Ethical Brands</td>
    <td>Choosing local, ethical, and eco-friendly products supports sustainable industries.</td>
  </tr>
</table>


How can you have a sustainable Halloween?

You might think it’s impossible to celebrate Halloween without the use of plastic, but there are so many things you can do to make sure you still have the spookiest of Halloweens without giving mother nature an undesirable fright. 

If you want to make your Halloween more sustainable, the first thing you have to do is break-down all of your usual Halloween activities and then alter them one by one. 

For instance, the first thing many people think of when it comes to Halloween is their costume. Most people don’t repeat their Halloween costumes – ever. 

Try to make a Halloween costume that you’ll enjoy wearing every few years. In other words, instead of opting to pick a brand new costume every year – start making a rotation of costumes, so that the costumes never get thrown away. 

If possible, try to avoid buying costumes made out of plastic at all costs – and opt for a DIY costume instead, such as dressing up as a well-known superstar or T.V. show character. These kinds of costumes can often be created with what’s already in your closet. This also prevents the peril many end up in every Halloween: wondering what to dress up as!

👉 By rotating your costumes, you’ll save time and money from not needing to plan a new costume every year – and reduce your Halloween carbon footprint at the same time. 

Eco-friendly Halloween decorations & costumes

Decorating for fall and Halloween are a big deal in the United States, and aren’t likely to go away any time soon. I never decorated for Halloween, and now living in France – it isn’t even an option to find a plethora of Earth-toned foliage covered tablecloths or plastic pumpkins to line my counter with.

However, it didn’t mean that I didn’t make my home feel like fall – or any season for that matter. Instead, I fill my home with practical items that I’m going to use for the season: like butternut squash, fall-themed soaps and lotions, or candles. This way, my fall decor isn’t just for decoration – but actually gets used throughout the season as well.

👉 If you must incorporate something spooky for Halloween – try to make DIY decorations like cut-out paper ghosts and spiders. 

Carve pumpkins with sustainable ideas in mind

People often buy whole pumpkins for Halloween solely for craving, and throw away “the guts”, or the part that can actually be eaten – away without a second thought. 

💡 However, pumpkin doesn’t have to go to waste – and can be used in multiple fall-themed dishes as well as recipes like pumpkin pasta or pumpkin bread that are good no matter what time of year it is.

The best part is that pumpkin freezes well – so even if you have no idea what to do with it the week of Halloween or carving pumpkins, you can store pumpkin in your freezer for up to three months. If you’re a baker, pumpkin can also serve as an excellent, less sweet substitute for bananas in baking.

As for the candy, one of the most environmentally detrimental components of Halloween – it’s hard for trick-or-treating, but if you’re hosting a party – try to make your own Halloween treats. This way, you’ll reduce your plastic consumption while still keeping the Halloween theme. 

We can’t change how Halloween candy is currently packaged, but we can do a lot of other things on our part to make Halloween more sustainable without sacrificing the fun. Halloween was once celebrated before plastic even existed, and if the colonists could do it then – we can do it now, and even better than before. 

If reading this article about the environmental impact of Halloween and how to make Halloween sustainable has made you interested in reducing your carbon emissions to further fight against climate change – Greenly can help you!

Greenly can help you make an environmental change for the better, starting with a carbon footprint assessment to know how much carbon emissions your company produces.

‍Click here to learn more about Greenly and how we can help you reduce your carbon footprint.

This article offers an in-depth analysis of the 2024 European Elections, highlighting the stakes surrounding the EU Green Deal and the anticipated focus of the new parliament on green initiatives.

Understanding the European Elections 2024

Between 6-9 June 2024, voters across the European Union headed to the polls to elect the next European Parliament. This election is crucial, not just for the political landscape of Europe, but for the future of the bloc's climate policies. The results, which saw significant gains for the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right groups, will significantly impact the EU's approach to environmental sustainability, green legislation, and the implementation of the European Green Deal.

👉 In this article, we provide an in-depth look at the results of the 2024 European Elections, including the previous parliament's climate policies and what the new parliament is likely to focus on regarding green initiatives.

Between 6-9 June 2024, citizens from across the European Union's 27 member nations voted to elect 720 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The outcome of this election will determine the future of the European Green Deal and the EU's climate policies, especially amid a significant rise in populist right-wing influence, which poses a threat to progress towards sustainability and climate neutrality.

The previous European Parliament elections, held in May 2019, marked a significant shift in the political landscape of the European Union, particularly from an environmental perspective. These elections saw a surge in support for Green parties across Europe, reflecting a growing concern about climate change and environmental sustainability. The Green/EFA group (European Free Alliance) managed to secure 74 seats, making it the fourth-largest group in the Parliament. This success can be largely attributed to the increased visibility of climate change issues and the surge of environmental protests across the continent - largely inspired by the Fridays for Future strikes led by Greta Thunberg - which put pressure on politicians to prioritise environmental issues.

The increased representation of Green parties in the European Parliament has had a substantial impact on EU policy-making. Environmental issues have been pushed to the forefront of the legislative agenda, with significant advancements in climate policy and sustainability initiatives. Key among these initiatives is the European Green Deal, an ambitious plan aiming for the EU to become climate-neutral by 2050. This policy framework includes measures to cut greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote circular economy practices. However, this progress may be under threat from the rise in support for populist parties, leaving Europe’s green legacy hanging in the balance. 

<table border="1">   <tr>     <th>Political Group</th>     <th>Number of MEPs in February 2024</th>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Radical Left (The Left - GUE/NGL)</td>     <td>37</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Social Democrats (S&D)</td>     <td>141</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Greens and Regionalists (Greens-EFA)</td>     <td>72</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Liberal Democrats (Renew)</td>     <td>101</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Christian Democrats (EPP)</td>     <td>177</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Eurosceptic Conservatives (ECR)</td>     <td>68</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Nationalists (ID)</td>     <td>59</td>   </tr>   <tr>     <td>Non-attached Members (NI)</td>     <td>50</td>   </tr> </table>

The 2024 election results have revealed significant shifts in the political dynamics of the European Parliament. The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) emerged victorious, tightening its grip on the chamber with around 184 seats. This makes the EPP the best positioned to influence EU policy, likely tilting the agenda to the right. Far-right groups also made major gains, particularly in France and Italy, signalling a shift towards more conservative policies. In contrast, the Green/EFA group suffered substantial losses, dropping from the fourth to the sixth largest group in the Parliament. The liberal Renew Europe group also faced significant setbacks.

With the EPP's strengthened position and the far-right's rise, the new parliament is expected to take a more conservative approach to policy-making. This could impact the future of the European Green Deal and other climate initiatives, as the EPP and its allies may push for policies that favour industry and rural interests over aggressive climate action. The new parliament's stance on climate policy will be crucial in determining whether Europe can stay on track to meet its 2030 climate targets and achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

As the EU navigates this new political landscape, the balance of power within the Parliament will play a critical role in shaping the bloc's environmental policies. The upcoming legislative term will be a test of the EU's commitment to its climate goals and the resilience of its green initiatives in the face of growing populist influence.

The center-right European People's Party (EPP) is set to remain the biggest grouping in the European Parliament after voters went to the polls across Europe. 

Ursula von der Leyen, the lead candidate for the EPP, as well as the European Commission President, said that the party had won the elections.

"No majority can be formed without the EPP and together ... we will build a bastion against the extremes from the left and from the right," she declared.

Von der Leyen is seeking a second five-year term as president of the European Commission, the powerful EU executive arm.

Preliminary election results also showed that far-right, nationalist parties had made the biggest gains in the polls.

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1:38 Alexandra von Nahmen, DW Brussels Bureau Chief
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Europe's center-right claims EU election victory even as far-right surges | DW News

What was the previous EU parliament’s approach to climate change?

The previous European Parliament made significant progress in addressing climate change, driven by the ambitious European Green Deal introduced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen. This strategy aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Key to this goal are initiatives that promote sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and foster green innovation across all sectors of the economy.

One of the cornerstone achievements of the previous Parliament was the adoption of the European Climate Law, which legally binds the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and sets an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. This legislation underpins a range of EU policies designed to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, including the expansion of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) and stricter emissions standards for vehicles and industries.

Another critical piece of legislation is the Nature Restoration Law, which mandates the restoration of degraded ecosystems and aims to enhance biodiversity across the EU. This law requires member states to develop and implement plans to restore at least 20% of their land and marine areas by 2030. Additionally, regulations to reduce methane emissions - a potent greenhouse gas - have been strengthened, and new standards for heavy-duty vehicle emissions have been introduced to curb pollution from the transport sector.

Despite these advancements, the Parliament's climate agenda faced growing challenges and criticisms in recent years. Some member states and political parties argued that the Green Deal's targets are overly ambitious and economically burdensome, particularly in the context of the ongoing economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Conversely, there are also those who argue that the EU’s climate policies don’t go far enough and that the inclusion of fossil gas in the EU taxonomy for sustainable activities undermines the integrity of the EU's climate goals.

Another notable recent challenge was the withdrawal of a proposed EU law aimed at halving the use of chemical pesticides across the EU. This decision, made by von der Leyen in February 2024, came amid a backlash from right-wing politicians and widespread protests from farmers. The proposal - part of the EU's Farm to Fork strategy - faced intense opposition and was ultimately scrapped despite attempts to find a compromise that would promote greener alternatives to chemical pesticides. However, environmental groups and water companies criticised the withdrawal, expressing concerns about the implications for biodiversity and water quality.

As the results of the 2024 elections reveal a significant shift in the political dynamics of the European Parliament, the achievements and shortcomings of the previous Parliament's climate policies will be under scrutiny. The centre-right European People’s Party (EPP) emerged victorious, while far-right groups made significant gains. This new political landscape poses challenges for the continuation of ambitious climate policies. The future direction of the EU's climate agenda hinges on how the new Parliament navigates these political changes, making it a crucial moment for Europe's environmental strategy.

What do the results of the elections mean for EU climate policies?

The 2024 European elections are a pivotal moment for the future of the EU's climate policies. At stake is the continuity of the European Green Deal, which aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The outcome of these elections will determine whether the EU can maintain its ambitious climate targets or if policy shifts will undermine recent progress.

One of the major issues at stake is the European Green Deal itself. This plan includes a wide range of initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting renewable energy, and enhancing sustainability across sectors. The deal has set the EU on a path to significant environmental reforms, but its future depends on the support of the new European Parliament. The shift towards a more conservative or right-wing Parliament could lead to a dilution of these policies, as seen with the recent withdrawal of the pesticide reduction proposal.

The 2024 elections will also impact the EU’s ability to meet its 2030 climate targets, which include a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels. Achieving these targets requires the implementation of stringent regulations and significant investments in green technologies. The new Parliament will play a central role in either supporting or obstructing these efforts. With the EPP's strengthened position and the rise of far-right parties, a Parliament influenced by climate-skeptical parties might limit the introduction of further regulations and reduce funding for green initiatives. This shift could pose a significant challenge to maintaining the momentum of the EU's current climate policies.

Another important consideration is the EU’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity and ecosystem restoration. The Nature Restoration Law, which aims to restore degraded ecosystems, is a vital part of the Green Deal. However, the law has faced opposition from agricultural and industrial lobbies, and its fate will likely depend on the post-election Parliament’s stance on environmental conservation. A supportive Parliament could strengthen and expand these efforts, while opposition might result in weakened commitments and slower progress.

The political outcome of the election presents different paths for the EU’s climate policy. With the center-right European People’s Party (EPP) and far-right groups making significant gains, a more conservative Europe could potentially roll back ambitious climate policies. This shift might lead to a dilution of the European Green Deal's initiatives. On the other hand, if coalitions can still be formed with pro-environment parties like the Greens and Socialists, there may still be a push for more aggressive climate action and support for the Green Deal's objectives.

The election results will also influence the EU's international climate leadership. The EU has positioned itself as a global leader in climate policy, and maintaining this role requires consistent and bold actions. A Parliament that supports robust climate policies will enable the EU to lead by example and exert pressure on other countries to enhance their climate commitments. On the other hand, a retreat from ambitious policies could weaken the EU’s influence on the global stage and hinder international efforts to combat climate change.

The results of the 2024 European elections are crucial for the future of the EU’s climate policies. The outcome will determine whether the European Green Deal and its initiatives will continue to drive significant environmental reforms or if the recent shift in political power towards more conservative and far-right parties will lead to a scaling back of these efforts.

The bloc's landmark agreement was initially met with praise but has since hit a few roadblocks.

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Opposition to EU Green Deal grows as European elections approach

Detailed election results and key takeaways

The 2024 European elections have brought about significant changes in the composition of the European Parliament. The center-right European People’s Party (EPP) secured around 184 seats, reinforcing its dominance. This puts the EPP in a strong position to shape the legislative agenda, potentially steering it towards more conservative policies. Far-right parties also made substantial gains, particularly in countries like France and Italy, reflecting a rise in populist sentiment across Europe.

In contrast, the Green/EFA group saw a considerable reduction in its representation, falling from the fourth to the sixth largest group in the Parliament. The liberal Renew Europe group also experienced notable losses, weakening its influence.

Key takeaways from the 2024 election results include:

EPP’s enhanced influence - With an increased number of seats, the EPP is poised to drive policy decisions, likely prioritising economic and industrial interests. This strengthened position means the EPP will likely steer legislative priorities, potentially favouring more conservative and industry-friendly policies. Their central position also makes them key players in coalition-building, which will be crucial for passing legislation.


Rise of the far-right - Far-right parties, including France’s National Rally and Italy’s Brothers of Italy, made substantial gains. This shift indicates a rising populist sentiment across Europe. These parties are expected to challenge existing EU policies on climate, immigration, and integration, pushing for a more nationalist agenda. The fragmentation within the far-right may prevent a unified front, but their influence will undoubtedly put pressure on the EPP and other centrist parties.


Setback for Greens and Liberals - The Green/EFA group’s reduction in seats from the fourth to the sixth largest group in the Parliament signifies a considerable setback. This will limit their ability to advocate for aggressive climate policies and sustainability initiatives. The Renew Europe group’s losses further weaken the liberal pro-environment stance, reducing the overall push for progressive environmental legislation.


Ursula von der Leyen’s future - Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission following the recent elections. With 401 votes in favor, von der Leyen successfully garnered the necessary support by pledging to advance the EU's green ambitions while balancing the economic burden on industry. Her focus on prosperity, security, and the Green Deal transformation will define Europe’s place in the world over the next five decades. However, she faces the challenge of turning these ambitious goals into reality amid political complexities and the rise of far-right influence within the EU.


France’s decision to hold an election - Following poor performance in the EU elections, French President Emmanuel Macron dissolved the National Assembly and called for a snap national election. This move was aimed at reasserting control and addressing the growing influence of far-right politics in France. The far-right National Rally (RN) party, led by Marine Le Pen, had expected to do well after its strong showing in the EU elections.

While the National Rally did not achieve the parliamentary majority it desired, it secured a historic 143 seats in the National Assembly. This outcome highlights the party's significant gains and its growing presence in French politics. The RN's increased political clout and material advantages underscore a trend towards the far-right in France. Despite this, tactical voting by the left and center has so far managed to keep the RN from dominating parliament. The evolving political landscape in France will have significant implications for its role in the EU and its support for EU-wide initiatives.

While Europe’s far-right parties made only moderate gains in parliamentary elections across the bloc on Sunday, and their performance was more or less in line with the polls, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz both suffered humiliating reverses. Stephen Carroll reports.

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Europe Faces Political Uncertainty After Elections

What results mean for climate policy and the EU Green Deal

The 2024 European elections have set the stage for significant shifts in the EU’s climate policy landscape. The new composition of the European Parliament introduces both challenges and opportunities for the European Green Deal.

Potential policy shifts toward pragmatism

The EPP's increased influence, coupled with the rise of far-right parties, suggests a shift towards more pragmatic and economically driven climate policies. This could result in a focus on incremental progress rather than sweeping reforms, emphasising cost-efficiency and economic growth over ambitious climate targets.

With a more conservative Parliament, existing green initiatives may undergo reassessment. Policies that are perceived as economically burdensome might be scaled back or adjusted. This reassessment could lead to a prioritisation of initiatives that offer immediate economic benefits, such as job creation, over long-term environmental goals.

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