Wednesday 7 February 2024

UK halves emissions

The UK has become the first major economy to halve its emissions, achieving a 50% reduction between 1990 and 2022 while experiencing a nearly 80% growth in the economy, according to new official statistics.

This accomplishment surpasses France's 23% reduction and the US status quo during the same period.

Renewables now contribute nearly 40% of the UK's electricity, up from just 7% in 2010.

These reductions primarily stem from transitioning away from coal to renewables in energy generation, with coal's contribution to UK electricity set to reach zero later this year.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said: "The UK is the first major economy - of the top 20 countries - to halve its emissions. This is an enormous achievement by itself but also because we have done this in a pragmatic way - growing our economy by 80% at the same time and protecting family finances.

"With some of the most ambitious targets in the world, we should be proud that we’ve over-achieved on our carbon budget for the third time in a row. We will continue to meet out targets but in a pragmatic way that doesn’t clobber extra costs onto hard working families."