UK greenhouse gas emissions fall by nearly two per cent
Greenwise Staff
2nd February 2010
UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell by 1.9 per cent in 2008, according to Government statistics released today.
The figures released by the
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) show that UK GHG
emissions covered by the
Kyoto Protocol stood at 628.3 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2008 compared to 640.5 million tonnes in 2007.
The biggest decrease in emissions came from the
energy, business and industrial sectors – accounting for 2.9 per cent, 2.6 per cent and 7.3 per cent, respectively.
Transport emissions also fell by three per cent. However, the residential sector saw a 3.1 per cent increase.
A
statement about the figures released by
DECC said the overall decrease in emissions was primarily down to a continued fuel switch from coal to natural gas for electricity generation, combined with lower fossil fuel consumption by industry and in the road transport sector.
Commenting on the figures, Minister for Energy and Climate Change, Joan Ruddock, said they demonstrated the UK was setting an example to the rest of the world.
“We are now clearly exceeding our Kyoto target of 12.5 per cent below 1990 levels. UK emissions are now 19.4 per cent below 1990 levels without emissions trading or 22 per cent including emissions trading," she said.
“Building on the
Copenhagen Accord is a priority for the Government and we will increase our efforts to encourage others not only to associate with it but to accelerate its implementation,” she added.
Related News:
Emission Targets and NewsDepartment of Energy and Climate Change NewsCopenhagen Environmental Summit NewsKyoto Protocol InformationRelated Links:
www.decc.gov.uk