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Imported emissions knock UK carbon footprint progress

Reductions of 20% in UK production emissions over the last two decades has stemmed growth of the UK carbon footprints, but increased imports have partly offset this win.

The latest report from the Committee on Climate Change states that movement of manufacturing overseas has driven more imports and contributed to a 10% increase in the carbon footprint.

Competitiveness risks arising from low carbon policies, such as the Electricity Market Reform (EMR), are said to be “manageable” within the report.

The report calls for a global deal to drive emissions reductions across countries, which would reduce the UK’s imported emissions.

Under the Climate Change Act, significant cuts to domestic emissions are required over the next decades.

David Kennedy, chief executive of the Committee on Climate Change, said: “The focus on reducing UK production emissions remains appropriate, given that these form a major part of our carbon footprint, and given available policy levers.

“Clearly we also need to reduce imported emissions. This highlights the fundamental need to reduce global emissions in order to achieve climate objectives, and to do this through a new global deal.”

Elsewhere, the report suggests the carbon footprint of shale gas extraction is comparable to natural gas extraction, if regulation is in place.

While the report says shale gas should not replace investment in low carbon technologies, it suggests there may be a role for UK shale gas as a substitute for imported gas.

Rhian Kelly, CBI Director for Business Environment policy, said: “The report recognises the risks energy-intensive industries face to stay internationally competitive as a result of new energy and climate change policies, and underlines the need for support. This is crucial to allow these companies to play a key part in our low-carbon economy.

“The Government has the building blocks in place, but they must now follow through on their commitments to shield energy-intensive industries from new energy costs beyond this spending period and by providing exemptions from the Electricity Market Reforms.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .