UK total emissions fall by 1.9%

Announced today (2 February) UK emissions in 2008 of the six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were estimated at 628.3m tonnes of carbon dioxide.

This was 1.9% lower than the 2007 figure of 640.5m tonnes, with the fall largely down to cuts of 7.3% (1.3 MtCO2e) from industrial processes.

However, the residential sector saw an increase in emissions of 3.1% equal to 2.5 MtCO2e.

UK minister for energy and climate change, Joan Ruddock, said: “Today’s greenhouse gas emissions statistics are encouraging and show a continued decline in greenhouse gas emissions of nearly 2% during 2008.

“The UK is demonstrating the kind of year-on-year reductions that set an example in the world community.

“We are determined to strengthen and sustain the momentum behind the low-carbon transition in the UK, supporting investment in low carbon technology, creating green jobs and providing a healthier future for everyone.”

Luke Walsh