Environmental Health

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

The UK compiles an annual inventory of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in order to monitor progress against domestic and international targets such as the Kyoto Protocol. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for about 82 per cent of the UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2012. In recent years, increasing emphasis has been placed on the role of regional bodies and local government in contributing to energy efficiency improvements, and hence reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

To assist this, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy combines data from the UK’s GHG inventory with data from a number of other sources, including local energy consumption statistics, to produce a nationally consistent set of carbon dioxide emissions estimates at local authority level.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions

The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy publishes annual estimates of carbon dioxide emissions for local authorities and regions. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is the main greenhouse gas, accounting for about 82 per cent of the UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2014.

Key Issues for Somerset:

• Between 2005 and 2014, estimated CO2 levels in Somerset fell by 17%
• This was a smaller decrease than that experienced across England (24%) and South West England (23%).
• The latest annual fall in Somerset is largely attributable to declines in domestic (household fuel) emissions.
• Emissions per head of population is above average in Somerset, but this is fairly typical of more rural counties (see chart below)
• In 2014 industrial emissions comprised 43% of the total, 30% were attributed to transport and 27% to domestic energy use.

Chart Trends in CO2 Emissions per head

Further information

• For more detailed data on all local authorities in the UK, please go to the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy/Gov.uk website
• For more data and intelligence related to the environment, please see our Environment page.