UK 'acid rain' precursor emissions, Million tonnes of sulphur dioxide equivalent
Emissions of chemicals that can cause acid rain fell by 61.2 per cent between 1990 and 2007, dropping from 6.8 million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes. Between 2006 and 2007, emissions from all sectors of the economy fell, resulting in an overall decrease of 7.8 per cent.
The majority of acid rain emissions in the UK – over 90 per cent - come from companies and the public sector. Since 1990, emissions from these industries have fallen by 60.6 per cent, from 6.1 million tonnes to 2.4 million tonnes in 2007. The largest fall was in the electricity, gas and water industry where emissions fell by 83.4 per cent from 3.3 million tonnes to 0.5 million tonnes. The main source of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) is the energy sector and fuel combustion. The decrease in emissions mainly reflects the move away from coal towards nuclear generated electricity and gas fired plants.
The electricity, gas and water industry also accounted for the largest drop in emissions between 2006 and 2007, falling 15.3 per cent.
In 2007, emissions from the transport and communications industries accounted for 26.9 per cent of all acid rain emissions, the electricity, gas and water supply industry, agriculture and manufacturing accounted for 20.7 per cent, 19.3 per cent and 14.6 per cent respectively.
Acid rain emissions from the household sector fell by 67.1 per cent between 1990 and 2007 and by 8.7 per cent between 2006 and 2007.
Source: Office for National Statistics; AEA Energy and Environment
Notes: Acid rain contains sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and ammonia.
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