Government says UK greenhouse emissions rose in 2006
Sun 01 April 2007
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The Government provisionally estimates that total UK greenhouse gas emissions were up by 1.25% in 2006, compared with 2005. Emissions are still, however, about 15% below the 1990 'Kyoto base year'.
The Government says that the total 'basket' of six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol were down from 775.2 to 658.1million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent compared with the 1990 base year. The UK, therefore, is still ahead of its 2008-12 target of a greenhouse gas reduction of 12.5%.
The Environment Secretary David Miliband says that the figures "underline the need for swift and decisive action." The figures do not, however, include the effect of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (which covers nearly half of UK carbon dioxide emissions) but Mr Miliband said that should not disguise the need for action.
The Government says that the 2006 increase was due mainly to unusually high international gas prices leading to a switch to coal in electricity generation.
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