Emissions from coal use in the United Kingdom totaled 448 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MtCO2) in 1960, but by 2020 had dropped to just 23 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 (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by fuel type*
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)
Characteristic
Gas
Oil
Coal
2020**
156.83
137.85
22.65
2015
147.23
171.46
91.47
2010
200.99
180.86
117.87
2005
204.38
201.61
147.75
2000
208.9
199.05
144.18
1995
153
213.05
181.41
1990
110.89
218.74
252.44
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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*Based on territorial emissions from combustion and industrial processes. Figures have been rounded.
**Preliminary
The sources adds the following information: "The estimates of global and national fossil CO2 emissions (EFOS) include the combustion of fossil fuels through a wide range of activities (e.g. transport, heating and cooling, industry, fossil industry own use, and natural gas flaring), the production of cement, and other process emissions (e.g. the production of chemicals and fertilizers) as well as CO2 uptake during the cement carbonation process."
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Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Atlas). (November 4, 2021). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by fuel type* (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 23, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Atlas). "Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by fuel type* (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. November 4, 2021. Statista. Accessed May 23, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Atlas). (2021). Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by fuel type* (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 23, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Atlas). "Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion in The United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by Fuel Type* (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." Statista, Statista Inc., 4 Nov 2021, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/
Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Atlas), Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in the United Kingdom from 1960 to 2020, by fuel type* (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1198375/carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-fossil-fuels-in-uk/ (last visited May 23, 2022)
