UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by almost 6% in 2023
British greenhouse gas emissions have significantly decreased by nearly 5.7% in 2023. This is a very good figure which, however, needs to be qualified, because it is due more to cyclical than structural reasons.
A coal-fired power station in the United Kingdom (illustrative image).
Getty Images - sturti
By: RFI Follow
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This is unheard of since 1879, when Queen Victoria ruled the British Empire.
With less than 400 million tonnes of CO2 emitted into the atmosphere in 2023, down almost 6% compared to the previous year, the United Kingdom is on target to meet the Paris Agreement. .
This drop is essentially due to a significant reduction in the use of gas, but this is not due to a proactive government policy.
The explanation lies in the mild temperatures, the cost of energy and the consequent importation of French electricity, mainly nuclear, and therefore less carbon-intensive.
These are therefore temporary reasons which explain this situation and there is no guarantee that this will continue.
Coal consumption fell by 23%
Another trend, however, seems much more solid.
The United Kingdom consumes less and less coal, the use of which fell by 23% between 2022 and 2023. The country is returning to levels not seen since the 18th century and it now has only one power plant in functioning.
The transport sector is now the largest contributor to UK emissions.
Unfortunately, they still remain as high and this time it is due to structural reasons.
This is the only area where no decline is observed.
Also read Paris Agreement: 5 years later, things are heating up for the climate
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