UK halfway to net zero as emissions tumble 11% in pandemic, analysis shows

The UK is halfway to cutting its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero after a record annual fall in pollution during the pandemic, analysis shows. The significant reduction in 2020 means the UK has seen emissions fall 51% since 1990, the benchmark year for measuring greenhouse gas reductions under laws to tackle the climate crisis. Emissions of carbon dioxide, which makes up the lion’s share of greenhouse gas pollution, are now at their lowest level since 1879, the analysis shows. Per person, UK greenhouse gas emissions are now as low as they were in 1853, and are roughly in line with the global average, making them lower than for each person in the US or China, though still three times that of India. Analysis: UK is now halfway to meeting its ‘net-zero emissions’ target | @DrSimEvans https://t.co/BghExZKhjM — Carbon Brief (@CarbonBrief) March 18, 2021“Getting to net zero by 2050 means investing in zero-carbon replacements for the high-carbon assets we use every day.