Emissions from coal use in the United Kingdom totaled 448 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) in 1960, but by 2023 had dropped to less than 20 MtCO₂. This is because the share of energy consumption in the UK covered by coal has dropped dramatically over the last half a century. In comparison, natural gas consumption in the UK has been increasing during this period, and as such, emissions from this energy source have risen significantly.
Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Gas
Oil
Coal
2023
123.22
154.93
17.56
2022
134.87
149.52
19.67
2021
158.4
151.89
23.74
2020
149.42
143.98
22.81
2015
147.9
170.77
91.55
2010
201.93
179.85
118.03
2005
205.44
200.45
148.03
2000
210.13
198.24
144.44
1995
154.25
211.6
181.7
1990
113.52
217.8
252.69
1985
107.94
205.72
234.31
1980
88.42
214.53
260.72
1975
71.38
241.4
276.2
1970
23.11
265.17
352.91
1965
1.69
189.77
422.27
1960
0.15
129.15
448.05
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Global Carbon Project. (November 13, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 23, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type (in million metric tons)." Chart. November 13, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 23, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 1960 to 2023, by Type (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Nov 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project, Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/ (last visited December 23, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1960 to 2023, by type (in million metric tons) [Graph], Global Carbon Project, November 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
