CO2 emissions and change over time

Reducing CO2 emissions is high on the agenda. In the UK, Wales, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire & The Humber currently produce the highest emissions per head, but progress has been made - especially the North East where they have seen a 57% reduction in emissions since 2005.

In the fight against climate change, reducing CO2 emissions is a crucial component. The Prime Minster recently announced a world-leading climate change target for the UK of reducing CO2 emissions by 68% by 2030, and urged other world leaders to follow suit with similarly ambitious targets.

Commitment to reducing emissions and the causes of climate change are high on the government’s agenda, with the UK’s Industrial Strategy emphasising clean growth and net-zero carbon as one of it’s ‘Grand Challenges.’

As the map above shows, CO2 emissions vary across the UK. Wales, Northern Ireland and Yorkshire and The Humber are currently the highest emitters per head. Progress has been made, however, with reductions in every region since 2005. The most significant improvment in CO2 emissions has been in the North East which has seen a 57% reduction. 

Clearly substantial efforts are required to meet the Prime Minister’s target by 2030 across the country, but the signs are that a positive trend is already underway.