Switch to gas puts UK on path to emissions target
15 Jan 2000
The UK is on course for its CO2 emission reduction targets, according to figures issued by the Government Statistical Service. Emissions of the `basket' of six greenhouse gases, which includes CO2, fell by 9 per cent between 1990 and 1997, with the bulk of the reduction due to the switch from coal to gas as the main fuel for electricity generation.
Under the terms of the Kyoto Protocol, Britain is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 12.5 per cent from 1990 levels by 2008-2012, and CO2 is the most important of these gases in terms of its influence on global warming.
The reduction in CO2 emissions is almost entirely due to a 25 per cent decrease in emissions from power stations between 1990 and 1998, according to the GSS. About half of this decrease resulted from improvements in power generation efficiency, as older power stations close and new, more efficient combined-cycle gas turbine stations open. The rest is due to the increasing dominance of gas-fired stations (gas produces less CO2 than coal when burned) and the growing output from nuclear power stations.
Other sources of CO2 saw increased emissions over the period. Emissions from road transport grew by 36 per cent between 1985 and 1997, while commercial and public services saw emissions rise by 6 per cent between 1990 and 1997.
`These figures show that we are on course to meet our international climate change obligations,' comments environment minister Michael Meacher. His energy minister colleague, John Battle, adds that `the government has a responsibility to ensure that energy plays a real role in sustainable development, by ensuring that renewable energy sources, combined heat and power, and cost-effective energy efficiency measures continue to be developed rapidly.'
