Greenhouse Gas Emissions Drop by 8.6 Percent in the UK

According to recent figures the UK government has been successful in helping to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases that are emitted in the UK. Economic contraction and a move away from fossil fuels has seen overall emissions fall from 533 million tonnes to 481 million tonnes in 2009.

Other things like the recession and a switch from coal to nuclear power also helped to produce a very dramatic drop in Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions. The report goes on to show that emissions of the main greenhouse gas, Carbon dioxide, actually fell by 9.8 percent in 2009. The overall output of a group of six well known greenhouse gases fell by an amazing 8.6 percent.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change says that the decreased CO2 from 533 million to 481 million was caused by a significant fall in energy consumption as the economy took a nose dive. A switch from coal to nuclear for electricity generation also helped.

The energy and climate change minister, Joan Ruddock, said that the significant reduction in emissions would no doubt have been impacted by the recent economic circumstances. However, he went on to say that they should still recognize the good progress that they are making towards meeting their climate change goals. People should not underestimate the efforts made so far by the government, industry, businesses and homeowners. The government is determined to continue to strengthen and sustain the momentum behind the low carbon transition in the UK.

The director at environment consultants WSP Environment and Energy, David Symons, said that the recession was forecast to reduce emissions by 3 to 7 percent last year. The UK actually achieved a reduction of 8.6 percent in greenhouse emissions. Overall, this is very encouraging.