Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions FELL by 3.4% in 2022 thanks to a 15% reduction in coal use

Last year Britain produced 3.4 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions – the equivalent of 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide – than in 2021.

A new analysis pegged this to a 15 percent reduction in coal use, offsetting any remaining post-pandemic boom in road and air traffic.

Demand for fossil fuels has been low for 266 years now, but this is mainly due to air temperatures reaching record highs, reducing the need for heating, and to the growth of renewable energy.

The analysis of government data shows that the UK would have seen an increase in emissions had these factors not played a role.

Nevertheless, with the exception of 2021, we have seen declining emissions every year since 2013, but experts say this will have to continue if we are to reach net zero by 2050.

A new analysis has pegged this to a 15 percent reduction in coal use, offsetting the remaining post-pandemic boom in road and air traffic. Demand for fossil fuel is now at a 266-year low, but this is mainly due to record high temperatures and growth in renewable energy. Pictured: Annual coal demand in the UK from 1560 to 2022

Analysts on Carbon short used data from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to calculate the UK’s total emissions for last year.

They came in at the equivalent of 412 million tons of carbon dioxide — an estimated six million tons less than the previous 2020 low.

The COVID-19 lockdowns resulted in an unprecedented drop in energy consumption, which then recovered dramatically in 2021, leading to a six percent increase in emissions.

This was the only year in the past 10 years to see an increase in emissions, despite the country’s sustained economic growth.

Despite the local decline, global carbon dioxide emissions rose to an all-time high in 2022.

This was largely due to many countries switching back to coal during the global energy crisis, even though global emissions growth was lower than feared.

Coal use increased rapidly in the UK from the Industrial Revolution until the mid-1950s when the introduction of the Clean Air Act led to its phasing out.

There were concerns that we would return to fuel in 2022 thanks to rising natural gas prices after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

But these fears were never realized, due in part to a 3.6 percent drop in electricity use as people moved out of their homes post-COVID.

Coal use increased rapidly in the UK from the Industrial Revolution until the mid-1950s when the introduction of the Clean Air Act led to its phasing out (stock image)

Rising energy bills and the hottest year on record also meant that Britons were less inclined to turn up the heating, which also reduced our reliance on gas.

Without above-average temperatures, demand for gas would have been higher and greenhouse gas emissions would have fallen by only half.

Any potential demand for coal and gas was equally offset by a 25 percent increase in wind power, according to Carbon Brief.

As of December 30, 20.91 gigawatts (GW) of power were produced by offshore and onshore wind turbines, breaking a new wind generation record.

This was the third time the UK wind turbine fleet has set new generation records in 2022, after a decade of low wind speeds reported in 2021.

Last year also saw a new record for the share of electricity on the grid that came from carbon-free sources, with renewable and nuclear power supplying 87.2 percent of total power.

If coal and gas had each covered half of the increase in renewable energy production, UK emissions would have been about 11 million tonnes higher.

Rising energy bills and the hottest year on record also meant that Brits were less likely to turn up the heating last year, also reducing our reliance on gas. Pictured: People gather on Southend-on-Sea beach during a heat wave in July 2022

Although Britons consumed more oil in 2022 than in 2021, consumption might have been higher if the energy crisis had not pushed prices to their highest level since 2014.

Road traffic has returned to pre-pandemic levels, with petrol and diesel demand rising by eight and seven percent respectively last year.

However, air traffic is still 20 percent below 2019 levels – a trend that is being followed globally.

According to data from OAGweekly seat capacity at commercial passenger airlines is still 20 million fewer than in 2019.

Heathrow bosses attributed this to fears of a fourth wave of Covid and conflicts in Ukraine eroding consumer confidence, on top of skyrocketing global oil prices.

Without above-average temperatures, demand for gas would have been higher and greenhouse gas emissions would have fallen by only half. Any potential demand for coal and gas was offset by a 25 percent increase in wind power

Analysts believe the trend of falling emissions in the UK will continue as the country enters a period of recession. Pictured: Annual UK greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2022 and projected emissions to 2050

Analysts believe the trend of falling emissions in the UK will continue as the country enters a period of recession.

We may also end up importing more electricity from elsewhere if the country continues to export the surplus it generates from renewable sources.

However, if this year is cooler than last year, the demand for heating may also increase.

To meet the government’s net-zero targets by 2050, UK emissions must fall by 15 million tonnes each year from 2023.

The steps taken so far have been achieved by phasing out coal and increasing renewable capacity, but continuing the trend may prove difficult.

Last year, the UK’s most productive nuclear power station, Hinkley Point B, was shut down, sparking fears it could trigger another rise in energy bills.

The experts at the Carbon Brief say significant emissions reductions from the industrial, aviation and agricultural sectors are still needed.

Simon Evans, senior policy editor at Carbon Brief, shared The timesTo continue, the UK will have to tackle the gas boilers that heat our buildings and the petrol and diesel vehicles.

“This will increase the demand for electricity to provide electrified heat and transport.”