Carbon Dioxide
The South West region's end user carbon dioxide emissions in 2005 totalled 43 million tonnes (43,202 kt), representing 8% of the UK total of over 545 million tonnes (including unallocated consumption and large electrical users whose location is unknown (539 million tonnes excluding). (Defra, 2007). Of this total:
- 38% (16.5 million tonnes) came from industry & commerce - the 2nd lowest emissions of this source in the UK
- 29% (12.6 million tonnes) came from domestic sources - the 5th lowest emissions of this source in the UK
- 31% (13.2 million tonnes) came from road transport - the 5th highest emissions of this source in the UK
- 2% (899,000 tonnes) came from land use, land use change and forestry - the highest emissions of this source in the UK
The per capita emissions for the South West were 8.8 tonnes in 2005, 5.4 percentage points below the UK per capita emissions of 9.3 tonnes. Whilst this may be lower than some regions, 8.8 tonnes of CO2 is heavier than the weight of an African elephant.
Devon had the highest end user CO2 emissions out of the South West counties in 2005, with 21% (9,080 kt) of the regional total, closely followed by the Former Avon area with 20% (8,509 kt). The lowest emissions were found in Cornwall with 10% (4,380 kt).
Total carbon dioxide emissions (rather than end user emissions) are only available for the UK as a whole. The UK contributes about 2% to global man-made emissions, which were estimated to be 38 billion tonnes carbon dioxide in 2004. Carbon dioxide accounted for about 85% of the UK’s man-made greenhouse gas emissions in 2006. (Defra, 2007).
In 2006, 40% of carbon dioxide emissions were from the energy supply sector, 22% from road transport, 17% from business and 15% from residential fossil fuel use. Since 1990, emissions from road transport have increased by 10%, while emissions from the energy supply industry have reduced by 9 per cent and business emissions have reduced by 16%.
Since 2005, emissions from the energy supply industry have risen by 1.5%, whilst residential emissions have fallen by 4%.
More information about carbon dioxide emissions are available from the South West Observatory Environment website. Greenhouse gas emissions is also an indicator used to monitor progress of the Regional Environment Strategy.