HC Deb 30 March 1999 vol 328 cc583-5W
Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of(a) the quantity and (b) the trend rate of growth of annual United Kingdom CO2 emissions generated by (i) the household sector, (ii) industry excluding power generators, (iii) power generators, (iv) the service sector and (v) other sectors. [79190]

Mr. Meale

The following table gives estimates of CO2 emissions in 1997 and 1998 from the UK's greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The 1998 data are provisional. The table also gives estimated growth rates based on the trends observed since 1990.

Emissions in 1997 (million tonnes carbon) Emissions in 1998 (million tonnes carbon, provisional) Trend (% per year)
Household Sector 23 23 0.3
Industry excluding power generators 41 41 0.3
Power generators 40 41 -3
Service sector 9 8 0.2
Other sectors 43 43 0.1

Other sectors include transport, land use change and waste. The land use change emissions estimates are currently under review.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the current estimate of(a) the quantity and (b) the trend rate of growth of annual CO2 emissions in respect of (i) power generation as a whole, (ii) gas-powered generators, (iii) coal-powered generators and (iv) other power producers. [79191]

Mr. Meale

The following table gives estimates of CO2 emissions in 1997 and 1998 from the UK's greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The 1998 data are provisional. The Table also gives estimated growth rates based on the trends observed since 1990, rounded to the nearest per cent.

Emissions in 1997 (million tonnes carbon) Emissions in 1998 (million tonnes carbon, provisional) Trend (% per year)
Power generation as a whole 40 41 -3
Gas powered generators 12 12 +50
Coal powered generators 27 27 -6
Other power producers 1 1 -10

Other power producers include oil powered generators and the incineration of municipal solid waste.

Dr. Cable

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the effect on the level of carbon dioxide emissions of(a) the moratorium on gas-powered electricity generation, and (b) the use of a fuel mix chosen solely on cost grounds. [79234]

Mr. Male

[holding answer 29 March 1999]: The environmental impact of the Government's programme of reform of the electricity market is discussed in Annex H of the White Paper 'Conclusions of the Review of Energy Sources for Power Generation and Government response to fourth and fifth Reports from the Trade and Industry Committee' (Cm 4071). This makes clear that the new policy does not aim to achieve any particular outcome on fuel mix. The Government have therefore not sought to provide a quantification of the effect of the policy on CO2 emissions or fuel mix relative to what would have occurred in its absence. The Department of Trade and Industry is currently developing a set of scenarios on future CO2 emissions from energy use in the United Kingdom. These scenarios will take the new policy on fuels for electricity generation into account and will be used to inform decisions on the scope and nature of additional policies to meet our commitments on reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.