News Article - 23 May 2012
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Greenhouse gas emissions produced by Britain are falling but the country still has work to do to meet its Kyoto targets, official figures show.

Data unveiled by environment secretary Hilary Benn indicates that the UK is making progress on cutting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Total UK greenhouse gases for 2007 dipped by two per cent compared with the previous year, to 639.4 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, while UK net emissions of CO2 were down from 554.5 million tonnes to 543.7 million tonnes.

Switches from coal to natural gas for electricity generation and lower fossil fuel consumption by both UK households and industry have helped to push down CO2 emissions.

"We need to see a major change across the whole of the UK economy if we are to meet the ambitious emissions reduction targets set in the Climate Change Bill," Mr Benn said.

"To aid this, the government will develop carbon markets and promote the development of low carbon technology, while continuing to work to get international agreement on global emissions targets."

Representatives from 163 countries worldwide are meeting in Bangkok this week to discuss drawing up a new international agreement that will replace the 1997 Kyoto global warming protocol, the first phase of which is due to expire in 2012.

Companies looking to improve their carbon footprint, reduce costs and boost their green profile should invest in carbonaccounting software from Access Accounting.

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