The UK government has published data for 2023 showing a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions to 384.2 million tons.
It is reported by Reuters.
"This decline in 2023 is primarily due to a reduction in gas demand in the electricity supply, buildings and product use sectors," the Department of Energy and Zero Emissions (DESNZ) said.
Total greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 were estimated at 384.2 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. The electricity sector, which accounts for about 11% of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, recorded the largest drop – 41.1 MtCO2e compared to 51.9 MtCO2e in 2022.
According to the data, electricity generation from gas-fired power plants in the UK decreased by 21.1% in 2023. In the construction and product use sector, emissions decreased by 6.2%.
"To a large extent, this was due to lower heating demand caused by higher electricity costs and other expenses." DESNZ said.
Emissions in the industrial sector decreased by 8% due to a reduction in fuel consumption in the metallurgical industry, while emissions in the domestic transport sector, which includes road transport, aviation, and maritime transport, decreased by 1.4%. CO2 emissions were estimated at 302.8 million tons, which is 6.6% lower than in 2022.
As EcoPolitic reported earlier, a study by researchers from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) showed that over the past 20 years, air quality has improved in Europe, but about 98% of people live in areas with unhealthy levels of fine particles of PM2.5.
