Environmental News: UK GHG emissions fall in 2006, according to new figures.
Total greenhouse gas emissions were down 0.5 per cent on 2005 levels, while the economy grew 2.9 per cent. Carbon dioxide (CO2), which makes up about 85 per cent of the UK’s total greenhouse gas emissions, stayed virtually the same (a 0.1 per cent fall).
The biggest decrease in CO2 emissions was in the residential sector, with a fall of 4 per cent on 2005 levels, along with a decrease of 1.6 per cent in the business sector. Other sectors increased, including energy supply (up by 1.5 per cent) and transport (up by 1.3 percent).
The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions are now 16.4 per cent lower than 1990 levels. When the effect of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme included, the overall reduction is 20.7 per cent.
Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn said that while the downward trend was positive, a much bigger change was needed.
“The UK is on track to meet and go well beyond its Kyoto commitments, but as a country we must do much more across the board. We have to make a real change to every aspect of our lives and our economy. The Government is taking steps to make that happen.”
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