UK publishes final 1990-2023 UK territorial Greenhouse Gas GHG emissions statistics

Sector Reports and Publications Mining & Quarrying / Oil & Gas

The UK Government today published final 1990-2023 UK territorial GHG emissions statistics:

  • UK net territorial GHG emissions in 2023 were estimated to be 385 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), down 5% on 2022 and 53% on 1990. These percentage reductions are broadly consistent with provisional GHG emissions statistics published in Mar 2024.
  • Decreased gas use in the electricity supply sector made the largest contribution to the total reduction in 2023. Electricity supply emissions fell by 11 MtCO2e (20%), reflecting higher electricity imports from France, unlike 2022 when the UK had higher than usual exports, a continued decrease in UK electricity demand, and an increased share of renewables to meet remaining demand. This meant that there was less gas use in UK power stations. Historically, the electricity supply sector had the highest GHG emissions of any sector. However, large reductions in emissions from power stations now make it the sector with the fifth highest emissions, below agriculture.
  • Emissions from buildings and product use fell by 6%, largely due to lower gas use in residential buildings. High energy and other costs are likely to have been a factor in reduced gas use for heating buildings.
  • Domestic transport emissions fell by 1%. Compared to 2019, the most recent pre-pandemic year, domestic transport emissions were down 10%. Domestic transport remains the largest emitting sector, responsible for 29% of all UK emissions in 2023.
  • All sectors except the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector saw a decrease in emissions between 2022 and 2023. Though net LULUCF emissions do only represent a small proportion (0.3%) of the UK total.
  • Figures for all years have been revised since the last publication, incorporating methodology improvements, new data, and changes to international guidelines. Emissions estimates for 1990 and 2022 have been revised down by 1.7 and 1.5 MtCO2e respectively.
  • The 2023 the Net UK Carbon Account was 385 MtCO2e. 2023 represents the first year of the fourth carbon budget. The Net UK Carbon Account must be on average lower than 390 MtCO2e each year for the UK to meet the fourth carbon budget. 

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