Shipping emissions in Europe return to pre-pandemic high

The European shipping industry recorded its highest ever total of CO₂ emissions of 135.5m tonnes last year, returning to levels seen before the COVID pandemic, according to data published by climate NGO Transport & Environment (T&E).

The total amount prior to the pandemic was 133.7m tonnes in 2019 before a dip in next two years to 117.8m and 126.3m tonnes because of the disruption to international trade.

The NGO noted that cargo ships were responsible for most emissions and MSC was the biggest carbon emitter on the continent, producing over 10.5m tonnes of CO₂ last year.