WWF-UK: UK CO2 emissions rise for the third consecutive year
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UK CO2 emissions rise for the third consecutive year
Thursday 30 March 2006
Only two days after the government effectively abandoned its national climate change target new figures show that carbon dioxide emissions have risen for the third consecutive year in a row.
The government's Climate Change Programme Review (28 March 2006) revealed that the government was not on track to meet its self-set target to reduce emissions by 20 per cent by 2010. Provisional new figures on carbon dioxide emissions in the UK show that emissions are up by two per cent since Labour came to power in 1997.
The majority of this increase comes from the power sector whose emissions rose by 0.3 million tonnes of carbon in 2005. Carbon dioxide emissions from this sector are up by 15 per cent since 1997.
Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF, said: "Just two days after the government effectively abandoned its climate change targets we learn that carbon dioxide emissions continue to be on an upward trend. Whilst Tony Blair continues to make fine speeches about climate change he continues to fail to put his own house in order."
"The main reason for the increase in emissions from the power sector is due to a switch back from gas to coal in the last three years. The government must provide the incentive to move towards cleaner energy sources. The best way to do this is through putting tough restrictions on pollution from industry through the European Emissions Trading Scheme."
The majority of this increase comes from the power sector whose emissions rose by 0.3 million tonnes of carbon in 2005. Carbon dioxide emissions from this sector are up by 15 per cent since 1997.
Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF, said: "Just two days after the government effectively abandoned its climate change targets we learn that carbon dioxide emissions continue to be on an upward trend. Whilst Tony Blair continues to make fine speeches about climate change he continues to fail to put his own house in order."
"The main reason for the increase in emissions from the power sector is due to a switch back from gas to coal in the last three years. The government must provide the incentive to move towards cleaner energy sources. The best way to do this is through putting tough restrictions on pollution from industry through the European Emissions Trading Scheme."
"Just two days after the government effectively abandoned its climate change targets we learn that carbon dioxide emissions continue to be on an upward trend."
Keith Allott, WWF-UK's Head of Climate Change
Related links
Further information about our work in this area can be found in our climate change section or the Climate Chamge Campaign website