 UK greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2010
13-04-11
Government statistics released at the end of March show that UK greenhouse gas emissions have risen by 2.8% in 2010.
In 2009 emissions fell by 8.7% compared to 2008. The drop was explained as a result of the reduced energy use from industry due to the recession. Similarly, some commentators are explaining the increase of emissions as a result of economic recovery.
Andy Atkins, executive director of Friends of the Earth, said: Our economy is as dangerously hooked on fossil fuels as it was twenty years ago so emissions are bound to rise as the economy picks up.
Another explanation blames an increase in gas heating during one of the coldest winters in recent times. Domestic fossil fuel use for heating and cooking only accounted for 17% of emissions. However, it saw the largest increase:13.4% over the period. Electricity generation and business increased only modestly in comparison.
Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne agrees blaming domestic consumption while highlighting inefficiencies in the insulation of Britain's housing stock and the Green Deal policy designed to tackle it.
Britain's blighted by inefficient and draughty homes which is why we want to help people waste less energy through the Green Deal and install new cleaner technologies to heat their homes.
Technical issues at some nuclear power stations made matters worse as the grid turned to gas and coal to replace lost capacity.
The cabinet will soon meet to decide whether to adopt the Committee on Climate Change's ambitious proposal of a 60% cut in emissions by 2030. Although supported by the Department for Energy and Climate Change, both the Treasury and the Department for Business believe the targets are too difficult to meet so soon. |
