UK leads the world on cutting CO2 emissions

THE UK has cut its carbon emissions more than any other country this century, a report has found.

The nation had the highest long-term reduction in its greenhouse gas output as carbon emissions fell by 3.7 per cent every year, according to accounting firm PwC.

The UK’s decrease was achieved by using less coal, natural gas and oil while expanding renewable energy use – particularly wind power.

But the report warned that Britain cannot rest because each country needs to cut its CO2 production by 11.7 per cent every year to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5C.

In the past two years, Germany

‘Less coal and more wind power’

has surged ahead as its reduction in carbon is 6.6 per cent. The percentage decrease takes the size of each country’s economy into account.

PwC said the UK now needs to invest £400billion in renewable energy to lower its greenhouse emissions, with aviation and shipping key areas to focus on.

Dr Celine Herweijer of PwC UK said: ‘Every year we underachieve on cutting carbon. The pandemic-related dip in global emissions will rebound as economies emerge and fully open up. Swift action is needed to rebuild with clean infrastructure, technologies and solutions that are fit for the future.’

The UK will hold the UN climate change summit in Glasgow next year where nations will discuss how to tackle the climate change crisis.

The Treasury said yesterday that developing an economy that is net zero is ‘essential’ for the long-term prosperity of the UK.