- UK greenhouse gas emissions continue to fall, UK now half way
to net zero as emissions have been cut by 53% between 1990 and
2023 or 50% when including emissions from international aviation
and shipping
- electricity supply and homes show big decline in emissions,
as country shifts to renewable energy sources
- surpasses last month's official 2022 data that saw the UK
become the first major economy to halve its emissions, while
growing the economy by around 80%
The UK continues to lead the way in cutting emissions after provisional data
released today (Thursday 28 March) show a reduction of 53%
between 1990 and 2023 – down 5% from 2022 as shown in last
month's official statistics.
After becoming the first major economy to
halve its emissions, territorial greenhouse gas emissions
fell further across several key sectors between 2022 and 2023 as
the reliance on gas decreases. The electricity supply sector saw
a drop in emissions of 19.6%, homes had a fall of 7.2%, and
industry had a 8.0% drop. The latest stats reflect the UK's world
leading record on renewable electricity – with the five largest
operational offshore wind farm projects, and nearly half of its
electricity generation now coming from renewables, compared to
just 7% in 2010.
The UK has done this while taking a pragmatic approach to net
zero, supporting families to make positive changes, without
saddling them with extra financial burdens and while growing the
economy by 80% in the same period.
The figures also show that the UK has reduced its territorial
greenhouse gas emissions by 428 MtCO2e between 1990 and 2023 –
more than the combined emissions reductions from the US, Canada,
France, Italy and Japan between 1990 and 2021.
Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:
This latest drop in our emissions follows the UK's achievement in
becoming the first major economy to halve its polluting carbon
emissions.
We have done all this whilst growing our economy by 80%, and
shielding families from unnecessary costs.
Having cut emissions faster than any other major economy over the
last decade, the UK government is committed to reaching its
climate targets in a realistic way while securing more clean
energy investment.
Since 2010, the UK has attracted £300 billion in low carbon
investment, with a further £100 billion expected by 2030,
supporting up to 480,000 UK jobs. Companies have announced plans
for £24 billion of new low carbon investment since September
alone, showing confidence in the UK to support its green
transition.
The UK has also over-achieved against three consecutive carbon
budgets and is one of very few major economies to have a legally
binding emissions reduction target covering 2035 – the 77% target
goes beyond many other countries.
These provisional statistics show the UK is making continued,
significant progress towards net zero. While statistics from
recent years remain impacted by the unprecedented economic
impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term trend shows that
the UK is rapidly driving down emissions – meeting and exceeding
its carbon targets.
Notes to editors
Today's statistical release are the provisional estimates of UK
territorial greenhouse gas emissions for 2023.
Final emissions statistics for 2023 will be published in February
2025.
