UK Sees Biggest Drop in Emissions Since 1990

The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions plunged by 8.4 percent last year, as household energy consumption slumped, the use of coal for electricity generation fell, and policies on climate change took effect, according to recently released government statistics.

Carbon dioxide output fell by almost a tenth, as renewable energy generation rose to a new record high, accounting for nearly a fifth of electricity.

It was the biggest fall in emissions since 1990.  Over the last five years, following a sharp fall in 2009, emissions appeared to have reached a plateau, with slight rises in some years owing to increasing coal use.  The price of coal has dropped on world markets, as shale gas has sapped demand in the U.S., leaving a glut.

Green campaigners welcomed the fall, but they warned that more must be done to reach targets.

In part, the slump in carbon output was down to record average high temperatures across the UK in 2014, which drove down demand for heating and led to a big drop in household energy consumption – even though bills rose over the year.
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The fall will also strengthen the UK’s position at the Paris climate talks this December, where world governments are expected to agree to greenhouse gas targets to take effect beyond 2020, when current pledges expire.  By March 31, all countries [were] expected to submit their proposals on how far they will cut emissions, in the case of developed countries, and on proposed curbs to their emissions growth, in the case of poorer nations.  Some may miss the deadline, but the EU, the U.S. and China have already made public their pledges.

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