UK emissions reach lowest since 1872

The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions last year fell to their lowest since 1872 as coal-fired power generation ended and electric vehicle use jumped.

Analysis by Carbon Brief found that the UK’s emissions are now 54% below 1990 levels, while GDP has grown by 84%.

It said about half of the drop in emissions in 2024 was due to a 54% reduction in UK coal demand, which fell to just 2m tonnes – the lowest level since 1666.

Another third of the drop in 2024 emissions was due to falling demand for oil and gas, with the remainder down to ongoing reductions in non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

Oil demand fell 1.4% despite increased road traffic, largely due to the rise in the number of electric vehicles which now number 1.4m in the UK.

However, Carbon Brief said UK would need to cut its emissions by a larger amount each year than it did in 2024, to reach its international climate goal for 2035, as well as its national target to reach net-zero by 2050.