Archived press release

UK carbon emissions highest since Labour came to power

29 March 2007

UK carbon dioxide emissions rose again in 2006 [1] and are now higher than they have ever been since Labour came to power [2], provisional Government figures released today reveal.

Friends of the Earth said the figures demonstrate the continuing failure of ministers to tackle climate change and highlight the need for the Government's proposed new climate change law to require annual cuts in UK carbon dioxide emissions of at least three per cent. A public consultation on what the new climate law should contain ends in June [3].

Provisional Government figures released today reveal that:

• UK carbon dioxide emissions in 2006 were the highest they have ever been under Labour - 2.2% above 1997 levels
• UK carbon dioxide emissions in 2006 were 1.2 % higher than in 2005

The Government is even further away from keeping its repeated promise (in three general election manifestos) to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by 20 % of 1990 levels by 2010 - to be on track to meet this target, emissions should have been around 10% lower than 1997 levels in 2006

Friends of the Earth director Tony Juniper said:

“These pathetic figures highlight the need for tougher action to tackle climate change. Government proposals for a new climate change law must include annual targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent each year. This would force successive governments to put climate change at the core of all their policies and ensure that the UK move towards a low carbon economy. Most of the solutions to climate change already exist. It is the political will that's lacking.”

Today's figures do not include emissions from the UK's share of international aviation and shipping, which are rising even faster. Government figures released in January revealed that between 2004 and 2005, Carbon dioxide emissions from international aviation emissions increased by 5.7 %, due to an increased number of flights. Between 1990 and 2005, emissions from aviation fuel use more than doubled. www.foe.co.uk/resource/press_releases/ ¬
new_figures_show_huge_rise_31012007.html

The UK share of international aviation emissions is not included in Government targets for tackling climate change. Friends of the Earth says that it should be and should also be included in the proposed Climate Change Bill.

1. www.dtistats.net/energystats/et_mar07.pdf (PDF)

2. UK carbon dioxide emissions since 1990 (all in Million Tonnes of Carbon - from page 22 of www.dtistats.net/energystats/et_mar07.pdf (PDF) )

1990 - 161.5

1991 - 163.3

1992 - 158.7

1993 - 154.6

1994 - 152.5

1995 - 149.9

1996 - 155.8

1997 - 149.6

1998 - 150.0

1999 - 147.5

2000 - 149.7

2001 - 152.6

2002 - 148.2

2003 - 151.4

2004 - 151.3

2005 - 151.1

2006 - 152.9 (provisional)

2010 target - 129.2 (20% below 1997 level)

3. Friends of the Earth is campaigning for the Government to ensure that its proposed climate change law cuts UK carbon dioxide emissions by at least three per cent each year. The call for a new law has been led by Friends of the Earth through The Big Ask climate campaign, www.thebigask.com

4. The UK share of international aviation emissions are not included in Government targets for tackling climate change. Friends of the Earth says that they should be and should also be included in the proposed Climate Change Bill.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust