UK greenhouse gas emissions

Source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), series Net UK territorial greenhouse gas emissions, MtCO2e. Provisional estimates for the previous year in late March or early April (2 April 2026 for 2025); final estimates in February the year after (final 2025 figures due February 2027). File URLs change with each release

What it measures

This is the official estimate of greenhouse gases emitted within the UK's borders in a year, in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), which converts methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases to the warming effect of CO2. It is net of removals by land use and forestry. It is the territorial measure used for the UK's carbon budgets and net zero target under the Climate Change Act 2008. International aviation and shipping are reported separately. Emissions embedded in imported goods are not included; a consumption-based measure is published separately.

How to read it

The provisional figure is based on early energy data and is revised when final estimates appear, and the whole series is revised each year as methods improve, so compare years within one release. Emissions vary with winter temperatures; DESNZ publishes temperature-adjusted figures to separate weather from underlying change. Carbon dioxide made up about 78% of the 2025 total. Claims about the UK's share of global emissions need international data on the same basis. For electricity specifically, see renewables' share.

Background

DESNZ estimated 2025 emissions at 367 MtCO2e, 2% below 2024 and 54% below 1990. The largest long-term factor was the shift in electricity generation from coal to gas in the 1990s and then to renewables, with lower demand from efficiency gains and less energy-intensive industry. The UK's last coal power station closed in September 2024, and coal emissions from electricity supply fell to zero in 2025. Domestic transport was the largest emitting sector in 2025 at 31%, followed by buildings and product uses (22%) and agriculture (13%).

Other parts of the UK

Scottish Government: Scottish greenhouse gas statistics 2024 · DAERA: Northern Ireland greenhouse gas statistics 1990 to 2023 · DESNZ: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions, 2005 to 2024

What are the UK's greenhouse gas emissions?

DESNZ provisionally estimated net UK territorial emissions at 367 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025, published on 2 April 2026. That was 2% lower than 2024 and 54% lower than 1990. Final 2025 figures are due in February 2027.

Are UK carbon emissions falling?

Yes, on the official territorial measure: 2025 emissions were 54% below 1990. Over the most recent ten years actual emissions fell 28% and temperature-adjusted emissions 26%. Domestic transport emissions rose 2% in 2025, while industry fell 12%.

Which sector produces the most emissions in the UK?

Domestic transport, at 31% of 2025 net emissions, mostly from road vehicles. Buildings and product uses made up 22%, agriculture 13%, industry 11%, electricity supply 10%, fuel supply 7% and waste 6%.

Does the UK figure include imports and flights?

The headline territorial figure excludes emissions from producing imported goods and from international aviation and shipping. DESNZ reports UK-based international aviation and shipping separately, and consumption-based emissions, which include imports, are published separately.

What is the UK's net zero target?

The Climate Change Act 2008, as amended in 2019, commits the UK to net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with legally binding five-year carbon budgets along the way. The territorial emissions statistics are used to track progress.

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More on this source: Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) energy and emissions statistics, and Ofgem energy price cap data