§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) by what percentage emissions of carbon dioxide were reduced between the years 1990 and 1993; and what were the major contributors to this reduction; [88739]
(2) by what percentage emissions of carbon dioxide were reduced between the years 1993 and 1997; and what were the major contributors to this reduction. [88740]
§ Mr. MealeEmissions of carbon dioxide fell by 4 per cent. between 1990 and 1993 (from 168 MtC to 161 MtC) and by 4 per cent. between 1993 and 1997 (from 161 MtC to 155 MtC). A major contribution to the decline during both periods was the switch from coal to gas and to nuclear for power generation. During the latter period (1993 to 1997) the effects of energy efficiency improvements, economic restructuring and the increases in road transport fuel duty in reducing emissions were also significant. Without these trends emissions would have been expected to rise between 1990 and 1997 due to the effects of economic growth.