Carbon News

Thursday 05 February 2009

Emissions in the power sector were down slightly in 2007, but greens want UK commitments for higher cuts

The energy supply sector achieved a four million tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in 2007, according to new figures released by DECC this week.

But, the final estimates for emissions that year show that industry increased its emissions.

Energy suppliers' 1.8% cut in carbon dioxide emissions was just higher than the nation's average of 1.7% down on 2006.

The residential sector and business sector both achieved better emissions cuts than the power sector in 2007, 4.6% and 2.6% respectively. Meanwhile, there were increases in emissions from the transport sector (up 1%) and from industry (up 9.5%).

The final estimates for 2007 suggest the UK is meeting its Kyoto Protocol targets to cut emissions of six greenhouse gases by 12.5% compared to those in 1990.

DECC said: "UK emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were 21.7% lower in 2007 than in the base year, down from 779.9 to 611.0 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent."

However, green groups said the emissions figures did not include international aviation and shipping, and said UK emissions were higher than when Labour came to power in 1997 "despite repeated promises of significant cuts".

Carbon dioxide

Regarding the EU emissions trading scheme, which covers carbon dioxide emissions only (about 85% of all greenhouse gas emissions), the UK has been a net acquirer of emissions allowances so far, according to the figures.

UK net emissions of carbon dioxide were 12.8% lower in 2007 than in 1990, down from 592.9 to 516.9 million tonnes.

The energy supply sector contributed 40% of the carbon dioxide emissions in 2007, with 22% from road transport, 16% from business and 14% from residential fossil fuel use.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change said that since 1990, emissions from road transport have increased by 11%, while emissions from the energy supply industry have reduced by 11% and business emissions have reduced by 19 %.

Since 2006, emissions from road transport have risen by 1%, while emissions from energy supply, business and residential fossil fuel use have fallen by 2%, 3% and 5% respectively.

Greens

Pressure group Friends of the Earth said the carbon dioxide figures are not in line with the Labour government's election manifesto pledge to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20% before 2010, compared to 1990 levels.

The group's climate campaigner Robin Webster said last year's Climate Change Act would not be enough to meet the target "without significant changes in Government policy".

He said: "The government's failing energy strategy must be completely overhauled. It must focus on a huge expansion in green sources of power and cutting energy waste - and plans to build new coal-fired power stations and bigger airports must be scrapped."

Friends of the Earth wants the UK to commit to a 40% emissions cut by 2020 in the run-up to the UN climate talks in Copenhagen this December.