Archived press release

UK emissions rise again

23 January 2006

The UK Government is still failing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, new Government figures reveal today.

The latest figures for 2004 show that UK carbon dioxide emissions (156.9 MtC of emissions) are worse than at any time since Labour came to power - with the exception of 2001 (157.3 MtC) when winter months were particularly cold [1].

Friends of the Earth's Head of campaigns, Mike Childs, said:

"Time is running out for the Government to get its failing climate change strategy back on track. Tackling global warming must be a central plank of all its policies. A new law to make the Government legally responsible for annual reductions in carbon dioxide already has the backing of over 300 MPs. Ministers must stop tinkering at the margins and come forward with sustainable solutions that cut emissions and make it cheaper and easier for people to live greener lives."

UK emissions remain close to the modest target set under the Kyoto Protocol, though they have been on an upward trend since 2002. However the UK is a long way off meeting Labour's promise to reduce carbon dioxide levels by 20 per cent of 1990 levels by 2010. This commitment was made in three Labour manifestos in 1997, 2001 and 2005 [2]. Earlier today the Government admitted in its Energy Review consultation document that existing policies would only lead to a 10 per cent reduction by 2010. A review of the Government's climate change programme is expected next month.

Friends of the Earth says that the UK can meet its targets for cutting carbon dioxide levels and meeting UK energy needs without building new nuclear power stations.

A list of some of the clean, safe alternatives that should be adopted

The campaign is calling for a new law that would require the Government to cut UK carbon dioxide emissions by three per cent every year, a move supported by over three hundred MPs. If this happened the Government would have to ensure that tackling climate change was a central strand of every Government policy. More information on The Big Ask can be found at: www.thebigask.com

[1] The weather may have masked an even worse record than the new figures suggest. The winter months (Jan-Mar and Nov-Dec) of 2004 were significantly warmer than 2001, meaning that higher emissions across some sectors may be somewhat hidden because less fuel was burned for heating.

2001 temperature graph
2004 temperature graph

[2] To reach the 2010 target (132.32 MtC) the UK would need to cut emissions by 2.8% every year from 2005 to 2010. As we can't do anything about the 2005 levels (and unfortunately they are likely to be higher than 2004) we only have four years to get from the 2004 level to the 20% target. To do that the UK must see a 3.4% reduction in carbon dioxide every year. There will of course need to be a steeper reduction if 2005 figures are higher - the Government's provisional estimates of the 2005 figures are due in March.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust