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Greenhouse gas emissions

UK and selected countries

Data up to 2007 for the UK are presented in the national indicator

(a) Index of emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases* per capita, 1990 to 2005

Emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases* per capita, between 1990 and 2005

(b) Emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases* per capita, 2005

Emissions of the basket of six greenhouse gases* per capita, 2005

*The basket comprises the six main gases with a direct greenhouse effect: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) excluding LULUCF/LUCF.

  • Between 1990 and 2005, UK greenhouse gas emissions per capita decreased by 19 per cent, the second largest decrease of the 13 selected countries. Six other countries also showed reductions in emissions, two saw little or no change, whilst four saw increases.
  • In the shorter term greenhouse gas emissions per capita in the UK fell by 5 per cent between 1999 and 2005, the fourth largest decrease of the 13 countries selected.  Seven other of the selected countries also experienced a decline, four saw little or no change, whilst one saw an increase.
  • In 2005 the UK emitted 2.98 tonnes of greenhouse gases per person, less than half that of the US, Canada and Australia, but approximately a third more than Sweden which had the lowest emissions. Of the 13 countries the UK was ranked fifth lowest.

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Updated: 31 July 2008