Thursday 31 March 2011

UK Greenhouse emissions on the up

UK Greenhouse emissions on the up

The UK recorded a 2.8% increase in greenhouse gases on 2009 levels, according to statistics released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change today.

Carbon dioxide, which accounts for about 84% of the UK total of greenhouse gases, rose by 3.8% to an estimated 491.7 million tonnes.

The findings were criticised by the green group Friends of the Earth. Executive Director Andy Atkins said: "The Government has repeatedly promised to build a low-carbon economy to tackle climate change and insulate us all from yo-yoing fuel prices, but the Treasury refuses to lay the foundations or pay for the bricks.

He urged the Government to listen to advice if it was going to become 'the greenest ever': "If the Government is going to get serious on climate change it must accept the Climate Change Committee's advice in full and set tougher targets for cutting UK emissions.

"Three-quarters of the public want the government to prioritise investments into energy saving and renewable power - it's time to end the UK's dirty anddangerous addiction to old energy and invest in a brighter, cleaner future."

The majority of emissions have come from the residential sector with an increase of 13.4%. Rises of 3.3% from the energy supply sector, and 2.4% from the business sector were also shown.

The increase in emissions will put pressure on the Government's 'Green Deal', which is meant to be improving energy efficiency in British homes.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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