- UK’s emissions fell 5.4% in 2022 due to gas price surge
- Transition to gas, renewables cut emissions by 52.7% since 1990
- Decreased gas use, electricity imports contributed to emissions drop
In 2022, greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom decreased by 5.4% as a result of decreased natural gas consumption caused by skyrocketing prices.
Greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 52.7% since 1990 as the United Kingdom has transitioned from coal to gas and renewable energy.
According to the most recent data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (Desnz), “electricity demand continues to decline” in the United Kingdom due to the transition away from heavy industry and the development of more energy-efficient technologies.
Furthermore, increased electricity imports from France occurred in the previous year. Approximately 70% of France’s electricity is generated through nuclear power, which emits negligible levels of greenhouse gases.
The United Kingdom is believed to have produced 384.2 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, a decrease from the previous figure of 406.2 million tonnes.
The comprehensive figure encompasses gases utilized in industry and households, including carbon dioxide, which is the largest gas by volume, methane, and others.
Desnz stated, “High energy prices [are likely to have played a role in] decreased gas use for heating buildings in 2023,” as individuals decreased their thermostat settings in response to the increased cost of gas.
Additionally, the United Kingdom imported additional power from France via interconnector cables.
“This is in contrast to 2022, when the United Kingdom experienced above-average electricity exports and a decline in domestic electricity demand, which reduced the amount of gas required to meet the remaining electricity demand,” Desnz explained.
In 2023, the electricity supply’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 10.8 million tonnes, or 19.6%, primarily as a result of increased electricity imports from France.
Desnz stated that greenhouse gases emitted by “product uses” also decreased.
These include aerosols, anesthetics, gases utilized in air conditioning and refrigeration, and emissions from household and garden equipment.
In comparison to the previous year, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions declined by 6.6% to 302.8 million tonnes.
“This is in contrast to 2022, when the United Kingdom experienced above-average electricity exports and a decline in domestic electricity demand, which reduced the amount of gas required to meet the remaining electricity demand,” Desnz explained.
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Industrial sector emissions decreased by 4.6 million tonnes, primarily as a result of decreased petroleum usage in the iron and steel industry.
Also decreasing by 1.6 million tonnes, or -1.4 percent, were domestic transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.
Green organizations, however, stated that the reductions in emissions were insufficient.
Greenpeace UK’s policy director, Doug Parr, stated, “A reduction in UK emissions is welcome, but we must not deceive ourselves into believing that we will meet our legal carbon budgets or international obligations by 2030.
“Building and transport emissions continue to be stubbornly high, and the government has yet to implement a policy that would deliver the necessary reductions for the planet or uphold our international commitments.”
In order to get us back on track, Sunak must prioritise insulation, heat pumps, and public transportation, as well as accelerate the deployment of renewable energy sources and vehicle electrification.
