A drop in UK carbon emissions was witnessed during 2011, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has revealed.
The reduction has been played down to the mild winter of 2011-12, causing a drop of seven per cent in total emissions. This drop was the biggest experienced in the European Union and almost double the EU average (3.3 per cent).
Warmer temperatures during the winter months meant that UK households were not as reliant on gas or electric heating to fend off the cold.
Furthermore, the EEA said there was more hydro-electric production during the year, in addition to nuclear power output recovering after the problems witnessed the year previously.
Cutting down on gas and electricity consumption should be a goal for all UK households and businesses, in order to reduce carbon emissions and save money on energy bills.
Accessing technology such as solar panels, insulation or solar boilers could help to significantly reduce your carbon output and save you money in the long term.
Even in winter and poor weather, panels will still be able to generate energy to help power the home – albeit at a slightly lower rate of performance.
EEA executive director Jacqueline McGlade said: “The greenhouse gas emissions cut in 2011 is good news, however, it was largely due to a warmer winter. If Europe is to achieve the transition towards a low-carbon society, it will need sustained investment in technology and innovation.”
However, environmental finance leader at Ernst & Young Ben Warren said that the UK is failing to attract renewable energy investment, following a study from the organisation. It was suggested that troubles in the eurozone and economic problems were the reasons for this.
“We are at a stage where the UK is presented with a unique opportunity to become a safe harbour for renewable energy investment in Europe. The foundations are there [but] competing visions and strategies within the government about the country’s future energy mix pose serious questions among investors about whether we can compete for capital on a global level,” he added.