CO2 emissions at lowest level in 40 years

ft.com — March 29th 2012

UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, have plunged to their lowest levels since records began more than 40 years ago, according to the energy and climate change department.

One of the biggest reasons for the fall to just 456m tonnes last year was greater use of nuclear power, according to the data - released on the same day two German companies announced they were dropping plans to build reactors in the UK.

A warmer winter in 2011, especially compared with the great freeze of 2010, was another important factor.

A department spokesman confirmed last years level was the lowest since DECCs carbon emission records started in 1970, at a time when heavy manufacturing plants were much more dominant in Britains industrial landscape and belched out 685m tonnes of carbon.