§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how far below 1990 levels(a)greenhouse gas and (b)carbon dioxide emissions were in percentage terms in (a)2000 and (b)2001. [47342]
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§ Mr. MeacherIn 2000, total emissions of the 'basket' of six greenhouse gases, weighted by global warming potential, were 13 per cent. below 1990 levels. Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in 2001 are not yet available. These figures confirm that the UK has met, and significantly exceeded, its commitment under the Framework Convention on Climate Change that was agreed at Rio de Janeiro in 1992 to return its emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by the year 2000.
Carbon dioxide emissions in 2000 were 7.5 per cent. below 1990 levels. Provisional estimates suggest that in 2001 carbon dioxide emissions were 6 per cent. below 1990 levels. Final estimates for 2001 are not yet available. The increases in 2000 and 2001 were caused by the increased amount of coal used in electricity generation in those years and colder weather in the winter months.
§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how far below(a)1980 and (b)1990 levels SO, emissions were in percentage terms in (i) 2000 and (ii) 2001. [47404]
§ Mr. MeacherSulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions fell by 76 per cent. between 1980 and 2000, and by 69 per cent. between 1990 and 2000. Estimates of SO2> emissions in 2001 are not yet available.