Carbon footprint for the UK and England in 2019

On 28 June 2022, the UK Government published details of the carbon footprint of the UK, and England separately, for 2019. 

In key points from the UK report: 

• The UK carbon footprint was estimated to have fallen by 2% between 2018 and 2019, reflecting a decrease in emissions associated with imports, goods and services produced in the UK and emissions generated directly by UK residents. 
• The UK carbon footprint in 2019 was 30% lower than its peak of 1,111 million tonnes (mt) carbon dioxide equivalents in 2004. 
• GHG emissions relating to imports rose by 61% per cent from 1996 to a peak in 2007, and in 2019 were 8% higher than in 1996. Emissions associated with imports from China also showed a peak in 2007, while in 2019, they were 67% higher than in 1996. 
• In 2019, emissions relating to the consumption of goods and services produced in the UK were 35% lower than in 1996. 
• The findings indicate that the UK’s carbon dioxide footprint fell by 3% between 2018 and 2019. 

Source: UK Government, 28 June 2022