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The current make-up of UK emissions: where to target our efforts

In this section looks at the contributions to UK CO₂ emissions by sector (e.g. "Transport"). Looking at trends and targeting the most significant issues.

Emissions by sector

The following graphs show the split of UK emissions by source (all data is from DEFRA). There are 2 areas of particular concern:

• Energy supply - because it is the biggest CO₂ contributor. It has reduced by 11% over 1990 emissions but still dominates with two-fifths of our current emissions.
• Transport - because it is worryingly a rising trend. Notice that its rise since the 1970s has nearly wiped-out reductions in Energy and Business sectors. If we look at emissions without the transport sector, our total reduction would be 13% (from 1990). Including Transport, our total UK cut is 8% over 1990 levels.

Note as well that the Residential sector is a concern because it is a significant fraction and shows little sign of reduction. Also that the Business sector looks good but this is probably not great news globally: notice that UK manufacturing has decreased over the last 30 years, only to be replaced by manufacturing overseas (e.g. China).

Electricity generation

The next graph shows the split of CO₂ emissions by fuel type. It is dominated by coal, oil and gas. And you can see a very clear switch from coal to gas.

The next graph is of power generation from 1980. Data is from the Dept for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (see http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file39881.pdf). Note left axis in units of energy .

• The growth in electricity supply is noticeable, with a 24% increase by 2006 over 1990 output. This is only recently starting to show signs of reaching a plateau.
• The famous "dash for gas" is very evident. Notice that electricity generated from coal + gas has increased by 34% from 1990 to 2006. It now accounts for 73% of generation. Over the same period, CO₂ emissions from the power sector have decreased by 11%.
• Efficiency improvements are key to explain the contradictory trends. Particularly, the switch to gas fired power stations has allowed us to increase our power output whilst decreasing our CO₂ emissions.

Transport

• Emissions from passenger cars make up over 50% of all vehicle emissions. The trend shows a significant rise up to the 1990's. Since then it seems to have reached a plateau but shows no sign of decreasing.
• Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) are the next most significant contributor to emissions (approximately 23%). The most concerning nature of this trend is that it has risen continuously since the 1970's.
• Notice that international shipping and aircraft are NOT part of these emission statistics. These are difficult to fairly apportion to each country but are very significant and must not be forgotten.