News

25 May 2006

British Gas identifies UK's highest CO2 hot spot

A survey of household CO2 emissions across the UK has found that out of twenty three of Britain’s largest cities measured – Reading in Berkshire, has the highest CO₂ emissions per dwelling. Carbon dioxide is the main gas responsible for damaging climate change, it is emitted when energy is used to heat, cool, power and light our homes.

The research, commissioned by British Gas, found that average house in Reading produces 6,189 Kg of CO2 - the equivalent environment impact as driving an average 1.4 – 2.0L family car 17,200 miles each year or flying 13,000 miles – two return flights between London and New York.

Gas consumption in Reading is 27 per cent above the UK average and the report suggests that the size of properties in the South East and the vibrant economy of Reading means that more properties are occupied by home-workers (or small businesses) elevating day time gas usage. Or it may simply be that the relative wealth of Reading’s residents means that they are less frugal with their energy.

At the other end of the survey, John Prescott’s constituency, Hull comes top as having the lowest CO2 emissions per household. Dwellings in Hull produce 40 per cent less CO2 emissions than the average house in Reading – the equivalent environment impact as driving an average car 12,200 miles or flying 9,200 miles. Hull’s gas consumption is 19 per cent below the UK’s average and its electricity use is 15 per cent below the average.

The report also calculated the carbon dioxide emissions across all local authority areas of the UK. And Reading can at least take some comfort.

The area producing the highest domestic CO2 emissions per household across all local authority regions is Uttlesford in Essex. These homes, on average, produce 8,092 Kg CO2 per dwelling – about 30 per cent higher than Reading and the equivalent environment impact as driving an average car 22,500 miles each year or flying 17,000 miles.

Ironically, in 2001 Uttlesford was named by The Sunday Times as the best place to live in England and Wales. The Rural district includes the historic market towns of Saffron Walden, Thaxted and Great Dunmow.

Domestic emission levels are due to a variety of factors including age and type of housing stock, quality of heating systems, ownership of appliances, occupancy levels, fuel mix and habits of occupants.

The Eastern Region – which includes Uttlesford - has the lowest connection to the gas network outside of Scotland and electricity usage is 25 per cent above average, and this being Aga country, oil consumption per household is four times the national average. The SAP rating, an accepted measure of a property’s energy efficiency shows the area is below the national average, suggesting, as you might expect with historical areas, older poorly insulated properties.

The lowest CO2 emissions per dwelling was the London Borough of Camden with 3,255 kg CO2 per dwelling, the equivalent environment impact as driving an average car of just 9,000 miles each year or flying 6,900 miles.

Jill Harrison, Head of Consumer Affairs, British Gas said: “Around 25 percent of UK carbon emission is generated in domestic properties. The difference between the areas of the UK with low domestic CO2 emissions and those producing high emissions is staggering. With £1 in every £3 spent heating homes being wasted it is clear that energy efficiency in particular has the potential to deliver dramatic emissions reductions and reduce energy bills

“The Chancellor, in his budget, has made £20 million available to Local Authorities to promote energy efficiency. It’s clear that urgent action from poor performing councils is needed now if the Government is to reach the target of a 20 per cent reduction in CO2 by 2010.”

Commenting on the report Ben Tuxworth, Forum for the Future Strategy Director, said: “This report comes as a wake up call to those who think reducing domestic CO₂ emissions is a luxury for the wealthy. Downward pressure on prices seems to mean that it's only the less affluent users that bother to save energy. If the rich are using over three times as much energy as the poor, we need to incentivise them to clean up their act."

A full report of domestic emission levels for the UK is available from www.britishgasnews.co.uk A UK map showing C0₂ levels by region is also available.

Contact: Anne Morton on 01753 494106 or Lilas Allen on 01753 494246

Carbon dioxide emissions for 23 selected Cities (electricity, gas, oil & coal)

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