Emissions of greenhouse gases from the European Union increased in 2001 for the second year running according to new figures.

Data released by the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimates that the levels of emissions are now one per cent greater than in 2000.

EU emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) rose by 1.6 per cent from 2000 to 2001.

The news comes as a blow to the EU, which has committed itself under the terms of the Kyoto protocol to reducing emissions by eight per cent on their 1990 levels by between 2008 and 2012.

The agency says the three countries furthest from keeping to their share of the overall Kyoto target are Spain, Portugal and Ireland.

According to the EFA higher emissions from transport, and greater use of fossil fuels in electricity and heating were the cause of the poor results.

The news is likely to prompt fresh calls for tougher measures to tackle the current level of emissions.