Greece: Lowest Travel CO2 Footprint Among Top 10 Destinations in Europe

Greece reported the lowest aviation-related carbon footprint among the 10 most-visited countries in Europe in 2023, according to data released by tourism intelligence provider Mabrian.

Overall in Europe, the aviation sector generated approximately 172 million tons of CO2 last year accounting for 4 percent of the total carbon footprint generated in Europe and increasing by 16 percent over 2022.

The 10 countries receiving the most travelers generated 84 percent of Europe’s total emissions. The countries that significantly contributed to tourism-related CO2 emissions were the UK, Germany, Spain, Russia, and France.

Topping the list, the UK generated 31.4 million tons of CO2, representing 18 percent of the total emissions which increased by 24.20 percent over 2022. Germany, Spain, Russian Federation, France, Italy, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Portugal followed.

Greece was last on the list generating 4 million tons and contributing 2 percent of total aviation-related CO2 emissions in 2023.

The report’s analysts go on to add that in order to offset this carbon footprint, an estimated 7 billion trees per year are needed, which represents 11 percent of the total forest mass in Europe.

“This analysis,” said Carlos Cendra, partner and director of marketing and communication at Mabrian, “is to raise awareness among tourist destinations of the need to measure the impact their visitors have on the environment, in order to act accordingly, take compensatory measures, and advance towards the Net Zero or climate neutrality goal set for 2050.”