According to the World Development Movement (WDM) Kenya’s annual per capita carbon emissions is 0.293 tons, while the UK’s are 8.351 tons.

So by today (January 13) the average British resident will overtake their average Kenyan counterpart.

The charity used figures from the US Energy Information Administration to work out per capita carbon dioxide emissions for the two countries.

WDM director, Deborah Doane, said: “This is a stark reminder of the UK’s responsibility for climate change.

“Developing countries like Kenya make almost no contribution to the problem, yet they face the worst consequences.

“Meanwhile the UK is failing to make sufficient emissions cuts or to meet its obligations to help poorer countries cope with the effects of climate change.”

The campaigning group is calling on the UK government to honour its promise to be the ‘greenest government ever’ by meeting its commitments to reducing emissions under the Climate Change Act.

Luke Walsh

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe