UK GHG emissions rose in 2010

The UK's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions rose by 2.8% in 2010, with 16.1 million tonnes more produced than in 2009, according to provisional figures published today by DECC.

The greatest increases have been in the creation of carbon dioxide with DECC estimating that CO2 production was 3.8% higher than in 2009.

The statistics reveal that the increased use of gas in homes was one of the key reasons for the increase with a 13.5% rise in emissions produced by the residential sector alone. The provisional figures show the sector to produced 85 million tonnes, the highest level since 2000.

The department also confirmed smaller increases across the main economy sectors with a 3.2% rise in energy production and a 2.4% rise in the business sector.

The increases follow the sharp drop in GHG emissions seen in 2009, which was attributed to the economic downturn, however the provisional overall figures remain below those of 2008 and preceding years.

The news came the day after DECC published its strategy to rollout smart meters to every home in the UK by 2019. The project is aimed at helping households to lower their energy consumption with the benefits of lower bills and reduced GHG emissions.