Greenhouse Gas Emissions Intensity
Improvements in all sectors since 1990
Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output (Gross Value Added, chained volume measure), UK
The level of greenhouse gas emissions created per unit of output (emissions intensity) by the UK economy (excluding households) fell 4.4 per cent between 2006 and 2007.
In the electricity, gas and water supply industry emissions intensity decreased 3.0 per cent in 2007 with emissions falling despite growth in the sector. This mainly reflects the continuing switch away from coal to other forms of electricity generation such as the combustion of natural gas. In transport and communications intensity fell by 3.7 per cent, in manufacturing it fell by 2.7 per cent and in agriculture there was a fall of 2.1 per cent.
These four industry sectors accounted for over 80 per cent of the emissions of greenhouse gases by the UK economy (excluding households) in 2007 and represented approximately one quarter of economic output.
Much of the period 1990 to 2007 has seen strong economic growth in the UK. Allowing for this growth, there have been substantial improvements in emissions intensity across the non-household sector with levels of emissions per unit of output in 2007 at 46.9 per cent below those in 1990. Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of output over this period fell 37.1 per cent in electricity, gas and water supply, 42.5 per cent in manufacturing, 36.5 per cent in transport and communications and 27.1 per cent in agriculture. Overall, falls in emissions intensity have more than offset growth so overall emissions dropped.
Source: Office for National Statistics; AEA Energy and Environment
Notes: The ONS Environmental Accounts measure greenhouse gas emissions on a UK residents basis.
Output is based on calculations using the chained volume measure of Gross Value Added, the contribution of individual industries to Gross Domestic Product.
The greenhouse gases included in this analysis are carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
Environmental accounts provide data on the environmental impact of UK economic activity, on the use of resources from the environment in the economy, and on associated taxes and subsidies.
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Environmental Accounts