Rise in UK’s C02 emissions
The latest official figures show that the UK’s emissions of carbon dioxide have risen rather than fallen.
Carbon dioxide emissions increased by 2.2 per cent in 2003, the equivalent of 3.4 million tons of carbon and up on the 1.5 per cent predicted, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).
But, the Government stresses that the emissions of other greenhouse gases, such as methane, nitrous oxide have fallen with overall emissions down by an average of one per cent a year since 1997.
Pressure group Friends of the Earth (FoE) said the 2003 figure signified a “big jump”, adding that Defra’s climate change policy had failed to control emissions.
FoE said the jump was primarily caused by more coal being burned for electricity generation as gas prices rose relative to coal.
Bryony Worthington, FoE climate campaigner, said: “Unless the Government takes control of UK emissions and starts delivering substantial year-on-year reductions, its own target will be impossible to reach.”
Environment Minister Elliot Morley, admitted the carbon dioxide increase was “disappointing”.
But he added the Government was very much committed to reaching national targets on scaling backing carbon dioxide by 20 per cent below 1990 levels by 2010 and 60 per cent by 2050 and was on target to meet Kyoto protocol obligations.”
“In overall terms, the figures are encouraging and put the UK ahead of most developed countries. In particular, it is pleasing that we are well on target to meet our Kyoto obligations.”
But he warned: “We cannot afford to fail”.
The Blair administration – set to chair the G8 of leading industrialised nations and preside over the European Union this year – had made climate change and poverty in Africa twin priorities in 2005.
Prospective figures for UK carbon emissions in 2004 are expected to be released on March 31.
