Reduction in Greenhouse Gasses

GTR_EnergySaving

In a report that was published by the Government it shows that in the UK, we have reduced our carbon emissions which means that we met the first carbon budget successfully. However, after meeting this target it is suggested that our greenhouse gas emissions are increasing again since the UK is recovering from the recession.

The figures that were released by the Department of Energy and Climate Change shows that the UK had emissions of 2,987.1 mega tonnes between 2008 and 2012 and within this time the budget required that emissions were no more than 3018 mega tonnes.

Having said this there have been reports that the reason for meeting the budget is likely to be due to the decline in production during the recession. Between 2011 and 2012 emissions rose by 4.4 per cent which is likely to be due to homeowners using their heating more than in years during the recession over the winter time.

Edward Davey is the Secretary of the State and he has said, “We have reached an important milestone. The UK has met its first carbon budget, which is the first step in fulfilling our commitment to cut Britain’s emissions by 80 per cent to 2050.

“The increase in emissions in 2012, compared to 2011, is of course worrying – but it needs to be put in the context of higher gas costs that made coal a more attractive fuel for electricity generation, and an increase in residential gas use due to a very cold winter.

“Green investment has been booming in the UK, with renewable electricity generation doubling and £31bn of renewable energy investment announced since 2010. Now with the Energy Act 2013, we can look forward not just to hitting our renewable targets for 2020, but beating them.”

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has also confirmed that the new refrigerant used in vehicles air conditioning systems, R1234yf, has been proven to have less global warming potential than C02 which is great news for the industry.

Ken Gayer is the vice president as well as general manager at Honeywell Fluorine Products and he has said, “The IPCC report confirms that HFO- 1234yf has a lower global warming potential than carbon dioxide.

The amount of cars that are using this refrigerant at the moment is around half a million cars but by the end of the year it is expected to be more than two million.