UK’s overall emissions dropped by 9.1m tonnes in 2018

A new release of statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy shows there was a 2.4% year-on-year decrease from 2017’s figures

The UK’s overall emissions fell by 9.1 million tonnes in 2018.

That’s according to a new release of statistics from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), which shows there was a 2.4% year-on-year decrease from 2017’s figures.

The department of government suggests the fall to 364.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 2018 was largely a result of changes in the fuel mix used for electricity generation, as there was a general trend away from fossil fuel-fired power such as coal and gas in favour of more renewable electricity being produced.

The BEIS statistics show coal power dropped by a quarter over the period, while natural gas generation also fell by 3.8%.

Simultaneously renewable electricity production soared by 12%, making up a record level of 33% of power in 2018, up from 29.2% in 2017, due to increased wind, solar and plant biomass capacity.

In 2018, UK energy production was up 2.9% on a year earlier. The rise was driven by growth from primary oil, wind, solar and bioenergy and waste. Overall fossil fuel production increased but with coal reaching a record low.

It says despite this, fossil fuels remain the dominant source of energy supply – however, at 79.4% this is a record low level.

Final energy consumption rose by 1.1% as demand for heating increased during February and March 2018 with temperature adjusted final energy consumption up by 0.2% on 2017 levels.

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