UK Emissions Down By 5% From 2022, Wind Contributes 28% Of Power Generated

UK Emissions Down By 5% From 2022, Wind Contributes 28% Of Power Generated

The United Kingdom has witnessed a reduction of 53 percent between 1990 and 2023 – down 5 percent from 2022 in cutting emissions, shows the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero report.

The latest Energy Trends report by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero also shows that offshore wind generated 17.3% of the UK’s electricity in 2023, compared to 13.8% in 2022, and onshore wind provided 11.4%, compared to 10.8%

The electricity supply sector saw a drop in emissions of 19.6%, homes had a fall of 7.2%, and industry had an 8.0% drop. The latest stats reflect the UK world-leading record on renewable electricity – with the five largest operational offshore wind farm projects, and nearly half of its electricity generation now coming from renewables, compared to just 7% in 2010.

The UK has done this while taking a pragmatic approach to net zero, supporting families to make positive changes, without saddling them with extra financial burdens, and while growing the economy by 80% in the same period.

The figures also show that the UK has reduced its territorial greenhouse gas emissions by 428 MtCO2e between 1990 and 2023 – more than the combined emissions reductions from the US, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan between 1990 and 2021.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said, “This latest drop in our emissions follows the UK’s achievement in becoming the first major economy to halve its polluting carbon emissions. We have done all this whilst growing our economy by 80% and shielding families from unnecessary costs. Having cut emissions faster than any other major economy over the last decade, the UK government is committed to reaching its climate targets in a realistic way while securing more clean energy investment.”

Since 2010, the UK has attracted £300 billion in low-carbon investment, with a further £100 billion expected by 2030, supporting up to 480,000 UK jobs. Companies have announced plans for £24 billion of new low-carbon investment since September alone, showing confidence in the UK to support its green transition.

The UK has also over-achieved against three consecutive carbon budgets and is one of the very few major economies to have a legally binding emissions reduction target covering 2035 – the 77% target goes beyond many other countries.

These provisional statistics show the UK is making continued, significant progress towards net zero. While statistics from recent years remain impacted by the unprecedented economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term trend shows that the UK is rapidly driving down emissions – meeting and exceeding its carbon targets.