Climate change: UK CO2 emissions fall again

(BBC News, 5 Feb 2019) The mass closure of coal-fired power stations has helped reduce UK greenhouse gases whilst global emissions (GHG) are rising.

The finalised official statistics show Britain’s GHG in 2017 were 2.7%lower than in 2016 - and 42.1%lower than in 1990.

Coal use for electricity fell 27% to a record low following the closure of two major plants.

But critics point out that huge challenges remain to reduce emissions.

These sources include transport, farming, homes and parts of industry.

What are the UK’s emissions targets?

Overall, the UK has a target of cutting CO2 emissions 80% by 2050. Ministers are on track to meet their short-term goals, but the advisory Committee on Climate Change (CCC) says they are still short of policies to achieve long-term targets.

The CCC warns there’s also a big difference between the current UK target of 80% cuts and the increased ambition of virtually 100% cuts that ministers are likely to embrace.

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BBC News, 5 Feb 2019: Climate change: UK CO2 emissions fall again