Comment on DECC greenhouse gas emissions statistics
Richard Black comments on the news that UK emissions fell in 2014
By George Smeeton
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Commenting on the news that UK emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases fell in 2014, Richard Black, director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “A steady stream of news this year suggests that the prize of decoupling growth in greenhouse gas emissions and economic growth is in sight.
“The finding that UK emissions of carbon dioxide fell 9.7% in 2014, the largest drop on record for a country with a growing economy, is remarkable.
“Combine this with the recent news that globally CO2 emissions did not rise in 2014, the first time this has happened in 40 years without an economic crisis, and something significant seems to be happening.
“The main reasons for the dramatic drop in emissions is falling coal use, and greater use of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, both in the UK and other OECD countries, and in places like China. In short, it shows that these measures work.”