Greta Jimenez
The United Kingdom has made significant progress in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, with a 5.7% decrease in 2023, bringing the total reduction since 1990 to 53%. The UK's emissions now stand at 383-384 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), the lowest level since 1879. This progress has been driven by various factors, including the decline in coal use, the shift to renewable energy sources, and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on energy consumption. While the UK ranks 17th among the largest emitting countries, with 1.1% of global emissions, it is important to consider the carbon footprint associated with imports and exports, which contributes to the UK's overall impact on pollution and climate change.
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What You'll Learn
The UK's carbon footprint
Residence or production emissions are aligned with the UK National Accounts and enable emissions to be linked to economic sectors and activities. In 2023, total UK production emissions were estimated at 487 Mt CO2e, a 42% reduction since 1990.
The carbon footprint or consumption emissions cover the consumption of all goods and services by the UK. While consumption emissions have declined, they have done so at a slower rate due to the UK's increasing dependence on imports. The UK's consumption of goods in 2021 involved 1.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per billion pounds of import value.
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The impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the environment and pollution levels in the UK and worldwide. The pandemic caused global disruption and contributed to climate change, with both positive and negative consequences for the environment.
One of the most notable effects was the reduction in noise pollution. Lockdown restrictions and decreases in business activity led to quieter cities, with many people working from home and reducing their commercial and communication activities. This offered a unique opportunity for people to appreciate the sounds of nature, such as birds chirping, which are usually drowned out by urban noise.
The pandemic also led to a decrease in water pollution in many cities due to movement restrictions and slowdowns in social and economic activities. However, this improvement in water quality was accompanied by an increase in waste and environmental pollutants. The pandemic caused a surge in medical waste, with hospitals producing significantly more infectious and biomedical waste than before. Additionally, the increased use of personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves, led to concerns about their careless disposal and potential environmental impact.
The pandemic also disrupted waste management routines, with municipal garbage and waste recycling systems struggling to keep up with the increased domestic waste generated by the growing trend of online shopping during lockdowns. Furthermore, the extensive use of disinfectants to kill the COVID-19 virus on roads and properties may have contributed to ecological imbalances, potentially harming non-targeted species that are essential for ecosystem health.
Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic had a complex impact on pollution levels in the UK and worldwide. While it offered some environmental benefits, such as reduced noise and water pollution, it also exacerbated waste management issues and contributed to ecological concerns. These mixed effects highlight the importance of sustainable practices and strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of unexpected global events like the pandemic.
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Transport emissions
The transport sector is the most polluting sector in the UK, contributing 26% of the UK's total emissions in 2021. This figure has increased by 10% since 2020, although it remains below historical trends. The majority of emissions come from cars, which made up 75% of road vehicle miles travelled in the UK in 2021, producing 57% of transport emissions.
In 2021, transport contributed a significant portion of the UK's air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOX) and particulate matter (PM). While air pollutants from transport have decreased since 1990, this is largely due to newer vehicles emitting less nitrogen oxides and methane. Between 1990 and 2021, carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from transport decreased by 96%, nitrogen oxides by 88%, and particulate matter by 64-73% depending on the size of the particle.
The UK government has announced plans to end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040 to tackle climate change and air pollution. The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has called for more ambitious targets, recommending that transport emissions must fall by 44% by 2030 to keep the UK on track with its goals. To achieve this, the CCC has urged for 60% of new cars and vans to be ultra-low emission vehicles by 2030 and encouraged the government to promote walking, cycling, and the use of public transport.
Transport is also a significant contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for around one-quarter of global CO2 emissions from energy. Aviation, in particular, has a large carbon footprint due to the energy required during take-off, with domestic flights having higher CO2 emissions per passenger-kilometer than short-haul international flights.
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Energy supply sector emissions
The energy sector is the second-highest emitter of greenhouse gases in the UK, accounting for 17% of the total emissions. In 2021, the energy sector's emissions rose by 7% to 86 Mt CO2e. The electricity, gas, steam, and air-conditioning supply sector is often referred to as the energy supply sector.
The UK used almost 176 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtoe) of energy in 2021, with 80% coming from fossil fuels. The burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas for power generation is the primary source of CO2 emissions in the energy sector. While emissions from the energy and manufacturing sectors have decreased due to a shift from coal to lower-emission fuels like natural gas, the closure of coal-fired power stations has also contributed to this decline.
Power plants, including those burning biomass, are among the largest emitters in the UK. Drax power station, which burns wood for electricity, emitted more CO2 than the next four power stations combined. Additionally, three of the six large UK refineries (Fawley, Pembroke, and Stanlow) and large metalworks sites like Port Talbot and Scunthorpe are in the top 10 largest single sources of emissions. These refineries and steelworks plants emit 5% of total UK emissions, while the power sector contributes 12%.
To reduce emissions, the UK is exploring various technological solutions, including renewable energy sources, energy storage, interconnector cables to other countries, and hydrogen power generation. The UK has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, and the decarbonization of the power sector is a crucial aspect of this goal.
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Business sector emissions
The business sector is a major contributor to the UK's carbon emissions. In 2020, territorial carbon dioxide emissions from the business sector were estimated at 59.4 million tonnes (Mt), accounting for approximately 18.2% of all carbon dioxide emissions. This figure represents a 46.8% decrease in business sector emissions since 1990, with the most significant drop occurring between 2001 and 2009, likely influenced by economic factors.
The Humber industrial region is the UK's most emitting region, with 12 million tonnes of CO2 emitted annually. The business sector's emissions include those produced by UK-registered businesses operating overseas, as well as activities within the UK's borders. However, it's important to note that these estimates may not include emissions from imported goods or exported goods produced by UK businesses.
The UK's carbon footprint is influenced by its consumption of goods and services, with imports playing a significant role. Consumption emissions, or the carbon footprint, refer to the GHG emissions associated with the supply chain of goods and services consumed in the UK, regardless of their origin. In 2021, the carbon footprint was estimated at 705 Mt CO2e, a 36% reduction since 1990. However, consumption emissions have declined at a slower rate than territorial and residence emissions.
To address the business sector's emissions, the UK has implemented various measures. Businesses and employees are incentivized to adopt electric vehicles with tax breaks, and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) is in place to regulate carbon emissions. Additionally, the UK government has set a target of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, and the Climate Change Committee advises the government on necessary actions, including improving energy efficiency in housing.
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Frequently asked questions
The UK's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.7% in 2023 to 383 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This is a 53% reduction since 1990.
In 2018, the UK was the 17th largest emitting country, with 1.1% of global emissions.
The business sector accounted for 59.4 Mt of carbon dioxide emissions in 2020, or 18.2% of the UK's total. This has decreased by 46.8% since 1990.
The transport sector accounted for 29.8% of all territorial carbon dioxide emissions in 2020. Most of these emissions are from road transport.
