UK on track to meet Kyoto targets

Greenhouse emissions fell two per cent in 2007 but the UK must still do better, says environment secretary Hilary Benn

The UK is making progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but "major change" is still required if the country is to meet the targets set out in the climate change bill.

Statistics published today by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) indicate that total year-on-year UK greenhouse gas emissions fell by two per cent in 2007.

Net emissions of CO2 were also down two per cent from 2006, estimated to be 543.7 million tonnes in 2007.

According to Defra the decrease is primarily a result of power generators switching fuel sources from coal to natural gas, as well as a reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels by households and industry.

"These figures show we are making progress in cutting emissions and are on target to go beyond our Kyoto targets," said environment secretary Hilary Benn.

The UK is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent between 2008 and 2012 under terms laid out by the United Nations' Kyoto Protocol.

The government published its its Climate Change Bill at the end of October last year, setting out targets to reduce UK greenhouse emissions by at least 60 per cent by 2050. Currently before Parliament the bill is expected to become law within the next two months.

"We need to see a major change across the whole of the UK economy if we are to meet the ambitious emissions reduction targets set in the Climate Change Bill," Benn said. "To aid this, the government will develop carbon markets and promote the development of low carbon technology, while continuing to work to get international agreement on global emissions targets."

Benn said individuals and businesses must continue to examine their own energy use. “While the government can provide encouragement and incentives, we also need individuals and businesses to do their bit to cut their carbon footprint,” he said.