'Fantastic': UK emissions drop in 2017 as wind and solar power hit record highs

Michael Holder
clock • 4 min read

Provisional government statistics confirm greenhouse gases now as low as they were in 1890, with wind and solar becoming UK's second biggest source of electricity

UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 2.6 per cent in 2017 compared to the previous year, largely driven by the switch away from coal and gas power towards renewable energy sources, provisional government statistics...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

Michael Holder
Author spotlight

Michael Holder

Editor

View profile
More from Michael Holder

Ørsted presses pause on 2.4GW Hornsea 4 offshore wind project 'in its current form'

IEA: Fossil fuel industry failing to curb 'stubbornly high' methane emissions

More on Energy

IEA: Fossil fuel industry failing to curb 'stubbornly high' methane emissions
Energy

IEA: Fossil fuel industry failing to curb 'stubbornly high' methane emissions

Methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal production showing little sign of falling, despite huge financial benefits on offer from tackling powerful greenhouse gas

Michael Holder
Michael Holder
clock 07 May 2025 • 4 min read
Study: Over 70 per cent of businesses to push forward with electrification
Energy

Study: Over 70 per cent of businesses to push forward with electrification

But drive to electrify is fuelling concerns over security of supply and volatile energy costs, according to a major new study from EY

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 01 May 2025 • 4 min read
Study: Overlooked industrial gas giants not acting swiftly enough to cut emissions
Energy

Study: Overlooked industrial gas giants not acting swiftly enough to cut emissions

Firms consuming more electricity than the likes of Google, Amazon, and Microsoft must rapidly decarbonise to help preserve a 'safe climate', report warns

Stuart Stone
Stuart Stone
clock 30 April 2025 • 4 min read