Archived press release

Figures Show UK Emissions Rising

2 August 2005

New figures show that UK carbon dioxide emissions are set to rise again this year, despite the Government's commitment to taking action to tackle climate change. Government figures show that UK emissions of carbon dioxide for the first five months of this year are almost two per cent higher than last year. If the trend continues, the UK's contribution to climate change for 2005 could be the worst since 1992.

Using the latest figures released by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Friends of the Earth has calculated that carbon dioxide emissions from January to May increased by 1.79 per cent. Using the Government's weather-adjusted figures, emissions in fact rose by 2.52 per cent [1].

Even at the lower rise of 1.79 per cent, carbon emissions for the year as a whole look set to increase to 161.2 MtC (mega tonnes of carbon) - an increase of 4.7 per cent since Labour came to power. The Government has said it will cut emissions by 20 per cent by 2010 but emissions have now risen for the last four years.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"These figures show that the Government's piecemeal approach to bringing down carbon dioxide emissions is failing. We clearly need legislation to set a framework with clear targets for bringing down emissions year-on-year. Rhetoric on climate change will not solve the problem. Tough action is required."

The figures show that one of the main factors contributing to the rising levels is an increase in the use of oil. Emissions from oil increased by nine per cent, while emissions from coal increased by just under four per cent. Emissions from burning gas, the UK's main source of energy, fell by nearly six per cent.

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to introduce new legislation to create a framework for cutting carbon dioxide emissions year-on-year, with government departments set clear targets for the cuts they must achieve [2]. The call is part of Friends of the Earth's climate change campaign, The Big Ask.

Notes

[1] Figures for primary fuel inputs for inland energy consumption were taken from Digest of UK Energy Statistics, published 28/7/05. www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/dukes/

Friends of the Earth converted volumes of primary energy consumed in millions of tonnes oil equivalent (Mtoe) to millions tonnes of carbon emissions (MtC) using conversion values published in the Revised 1996 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.

[2] See www.thebigask.com

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust