Early information indicates that the UK's greenhouse gas emissions dropped in various important areas between 2022 and 2023.
- The UK's greenhouse gas emissions continue to decrease, putting the country halfway to achieving net zero. Emissions have been reduced by 53% from 1990 to 2023, or 50% when including international aviation and shipping emissions.
- Emissions from electricity supply and homes have significantly decreased as the country moves towards renewable energy sources.
- This surpasses last month’s official 2022 data, showing the UK as the first major economy to cut emissions in half, while also growing the economy by around 80%.
The UK remains a leader in reducing emissions. After provisional data was released. Showed a 53% reduction between 1990 and 2023 – 5% lower than the 2022 statistics released last month.
After becoming the first major economy to cut its emissions in half. There was a decrease in territorial greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors between 2022 and 2023 as the country relies less on gas. The electricity supply sector saw a 19.6% decrease in emissions, homes had a 7.2% decline, and industry had an 8.0% drop. The latest stats demonstrate the UK’s leading record in renewable electricity, with the five largest operational offshore wind farm projects. Almost half of its electricity generation now comes from renewables, compared to just 7% in 2010.The UK achieved this while taking a practical approach to net zero, helping families make positive changes without burdening them with extra financial pressure, and managing to grow the economy by 80% in the same period.
The figures also reveal that the UK has cut its territorial greenhouse gas emissions by 428 MtCO2e from 1990 to 2023 – more than the combined reductions from the US, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan from 1990 to 2021.
Claire Coutinho, the Energy Security Secretary, stated:
The UK government is dedicated to reaching its climate targets in a practical manner while attracting more clean energy investment, having lowered emissions faster than any other major economy over the past decade.
This latest drop in our emissions follows the UK’s achievement in becoming the first major economy to halve its polluting carbon emissions.
We have done all this whilst growing our economy by 80%, and shielding families from unnecessary costs.
Since 2010, the UK has drawn £300 billion in low carbon investment, with an additional £100 billion expected by 2030, creating up to 480,000 UK jobs. Companies have announced plans for £24 billion of new low carbon investment since September, displaying confidence in the UK’s support for its green transition.
The UK has exceeded three consecutive carbon budgets and is one of the very few major economies with a legally binding emissions reduction target for 2035, surpassing many other countries.
These early statistics show that the UK is continuously making significant progress towards net zero. While recent years have been affected by the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term trend indicates that the UK is swiftly reducing emissions, meeting and surpassing its carbon targets.
Early information indicates that the UK's territorial greenhouse gas emissions dropped in various important areas between 2022 and 2023. The UK continues to lead the way in reducing emissions after the release of early data…
