UK Records Fall in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fall for Seventh Year Running

Government figures show that a record year for renewable energy caused greenhouse gas emissions in the UK to fall for the seventh year in a row in 2019.

A 3.6% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions has been recorded for 2019 when compared to the figures from 2018, with a 28% fall in emissions being measured in comparison to 2010.

The energy minister, Kwasi Kwarteng, said that the data shows “the extraordinary progress the UK has made in tackling climate change”.

“With record-breaking levels of renewable electricity on the grid we are well placed to build on these efforts in the months and years ahead, while continuing to support the economy through the coronavirus outbreak,” said Kwarteng.

Eurelectric, a pan-European trade association, said that the UK lockdown as a result of the coronavirus pandemic has already caused a 7% fall in energy demand.

While more electricity is being used in British homes, there has been a sharper decline in the demand for electricity in offices, construction sites, and factories.

As more industries join the lockdown in order to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the demand for electricity is expected to drop further.

This reduced demand, along with rising renewable energy generation, should also lead to lower emissions for 2020 overall.

Renewable energy sources accounted for over a third (36.9%) of the electricity generated in the UK during 2019 - a record for the sector. This included biomass-fuelled power plants, as well as solar panels and wind farms.

The last three months of the year recorded an average of 37.4% - the highest level ever seen for that time of year.

A fifth of the electricity generated in the UK was supplied by wind power alone - with both offshore and onshore farms accounting for roughly half of the supply each. The largest offshore wind farm in the world, the Hornsea offshore wind project in Yorkshire, was largely responsible for this boost.

RenewableUK’s deputy chief executive, Melanie Onn, said that we will continue to see records being broken as the UK moves towards reaching its net zero target as quickly as possible.

“As well as wind, we’ll use innovative new technologies like renewable hydrogen and marine power, and we’ll scale up battery storage,” said Onn.

“Low-cost renewables are central to the government’s energy strategy and our sector will grow rapidly in the years ahead, as our domestic supply chain expands and we continue to seize multibillion pound export opportunities around the world.”