§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the relationship between growth in gross domestic product and changes in carbon dioxide emissions. [39726]
§ Angela EagleThere is a complex relationship between changes in gross domestic product and carbon dioxide emissions because the types of fuel used, the structure of the economy, and energy efficiency are all changing over time. We estimate that under present conditions every 1% increase in GDP would increase emissions of carbon dioxide by about 0.5%, other things being equal. But changes in the other factors mentioned mean that the trend in UK emissions of carbon dioxide is falling at present, whilst gross domestic product is increasing.