UK Reaches Halfway Mark In Journey to Net Zero

Recent government data has revealed that UK greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) have continued to fall with fossil fuels providing just a third of UK power last year. The UK is now halfway to net zero as emissions have been cut by 53% between1990 and 2023 or 50% if you include emissions from international aviation and shipping. 

Provisional figures suggest the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) fell by 5.4% in 2023 after a drop in gas usage to heat homes and generate electricity. Reductions were seen in sectors such as electricity supply and residential areas indicating an increased reliance on renewable energy sources. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said reliance on gas is decreasing as the UK shifts to renewable energy sources. The electricity supply sector reported a cut in emissions of 19.6%, followed by homes at 7.2%, and industry with an 8% fall. The latest statistics surpass the previous official 2022 data that saw the UK become the first major economy to halve its emissions. 

This is a remarkable and historic achievement. The UK has reduced emissions further and faster than any other major industrialised nation, while still managing to grow its economy by 80% since 1990. It is the first major economy to halve its territorial carbon emissions across several key sectors. DESNZ says the UK reduced territorial GHG emissions by 428 MtCO2e between 1990 and 2023 surpassing the combined emissions reductions from the US, Canada, France, Italy, and Japan during a similar time period.

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.”

Total GHG emissions were estimated at 384.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2023. The electricity sector, which makes up about 11% of Britain’s GHG emissions, recorded the biggest drop at 41.1 MtCO2e, compared with 51.9 MtCO2e in 2022.

DESNZ said: 

“This decrease in 2023 is primarily due to a reduction in gas demand from the electricity supply and buildings and product uses sectors.”

Another factor to take into account suggested by DESNZ is a rebound in French nuclear power output in 2023 which meant the UK was able to import more electricity, reducing the need for British fossil fuel power production alongside a drop in demand. 

The UK is on the right path with the latest figures reflecting its ‘world-leading record’ on renewable electricity. It boasts the five largest operational offshore wind farm projects in the world and almost half of the electricity that is generated in the UK now comes from renewables, compared to just 7% in 2010. The UK has also significantly expanded its capacity of solar parks and bioenergy plants.

Right across Europe electric vehicles and heat pumps routinely account for between 10 and 20 percent of the market. These technologies are fast becoming mainstream as costs fall and demand grows. 
Furthermore, advances in technology are providing ways of decarbonising everything from steel and aviation to proteins and shipping. 

However, the UK still has a long way to go. Global emissions are still climbing, and the UK’s imported emissions remain persistently high. A large portion of the UK’s emissions reductions can be attributed to deindustrialisation and more recently flat-lining economic growth. Far more emissions could have been cut if it weren’t for the many policy missteps over the past twenty years and the continued subsidising of polluting industries. 

It's important to note that much of the decarbonisation achieved in the power sector has been through energy efficiency improvements and the closing of coal power plants which cannot be repeated. Emissions from transport, buildings, heating, industry, and agriculture are still far too high. It’s not clear whether power sector emissions reductions can be sustained especially in the face of failing power auctions, delayed nuclear projects, and parts of the government that remain enamoured with the fossil gas industry. 

It isn’t far-fetched to consider that if the UK has halved emissions in a little over 25 years it should be possible to eradicate the other half over the next 25 years in line with the UK’s climate commitments.

The latest government data also features some new stats demonstrating how renewable generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the fourth time in 2023. Wind generation in particular has set a series of new records. Overall renewables accounted for over 47% of the power mix in 2023 while coal, gas, and oil together generated just 34.3% of the UK's electricity which was a record low. Due to the healthy pipeline of clean energy projects, this trend is not only likely to continue but also accelerate during this decade. If this pace is maintained the grid will be mostly clean by 2030 and entirely clean by 2035. 

The UK has attracted £300 billion in low-carbon investment since 2010 and a further £100 billion is expected by 2030. This investment supports up to 480,000 UK jobs. 

DESNZ said:
“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 exceeded expectations against three consecutive carbon budgets and is one of very few major economies to have a legally binding emissions reduction target covering 2035. The 77% target goes beyond many other countries. 

The recent government data shows that the UK is making continued, significant progress towards net zero. Though statistics from recent years remain affected by the unprecedented economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-term trend demonstrates that the UK is quickly reducing emissions and meeting and exceeding carbon targets.  

Evidently, the UK is committed to reaching its climate targets with emissions having already been cut faster than any other major economy while continuing to secure more clean energy investment.