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4 June 2007
Campaign launched to encourage business action on climate change
The Carbon Trust has today published a new carbon map illustrating the CO2 emissions released by businesses in 33 towns and cities across the UK. The map is released on the day the Carbon Trust launches its latest national advertising campaign to encourage business to take action on climate change.
The new figures also include the percentage of carbon dioxide emissions generated by business activity in each town or city. Business in the UK is responsible for approximately 40 per cent of carbon emissions and has an important role to play in tackling climate change. Of the areas surveyed, Greater London emerged as the city with the highest overall volume of CO2 emissions (50,754,000 tonnes) with Aberystwyth the lowest at 696,000 tonnes.
Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, said:“Business has a critical role to play in tackling climate change as it is responsible for approximately 40 per cent of CO2 emissions in the UK and poor energy efficiency costs business an estimated £2 billion annually.
“Implementing straightforward energy saving measures in the workplace could reduce energy bills by up to 20 per cent, enhance their reputation and drastically cut their carbon footprint.”
The carbon map was designed so cities could better analyse their overall carbon footprint and identify areas where more efforts can be made.
“There are many low and no cost measures that can be implemented today that will cut carbon and save energy and we urge businesses to contact our free advice line on 0800 085 2005 and take advantage of the help and expertise that is available”
For the national map with detailed regional information, visit the new Carbon Trust microsite www.carbonmap.co.uk.
The figures included in the map are summarised below:
2004 Carbon Dioxide End-User Emissions City Total CO2 2004 CO2 from Business % from Business Aberystwyth 696,000 242,000 35% Belfast 1,779,000 618,000 35% Birmingham 6,807,000 3,123,000 46% Blackpool 829,000 313,000 38% Bournemouth 917,000 321,000 35% Brighton 1,347,000 451,000 33% Bristol 2,420,000 1,055,000 44% Cambridge 776,000 411,000 53% Cardiff 2,467,000 1,168,000 47% Coventry 2,128,000 1,013,000 48% Derry 794,000 345,000 43% Edinburgh 3,281,000 1,443,000 44% Exeter 707,000 315,000 45% Glasgow 4,269,000 1,826,000 43% Greater London 50,754,000 21,518,000 42% London City 1,583,000 1,509,000 95% Greater Manchester 19,165,000 7,649,000 40% Manchester City 3,363,000 1,578,000 47% Ipswich 826,000 373,000 45% Leeds 5,905,000 2,242,000 38% Leicester 2,217,000 1,212,000 55% Liverpool 2,776,000 1,116,000 40% Newcastle 5,868,000 2,320,000 40% Newry 850,000 223,000 26% Norwich 942,000 520,000 55% Nottingham 1,958,000 936,000 48% Oxford 981,000 479,000 49% Portsmouth 1,270,000 555,000 44% Preston 1,040,000 382,000 37% Reading 1,086,000 543,000 50% Sheffield 4,607,000 2,520,000 55% Southampton 1,369,000 594,000 43% Southend 837,000 280,000 33% Stoke on Trent 1,700,000 676,000 40% York 1,404,000 600,000 43%
Map methodologyThe information underlying the map was compiled as part of the National Air Emissions Inventory (NAEI), and is based upon the tonnes of CO2 emitted by human activity across various sectors per square kilometre. “Human activity” encompasses anything from emissions produced while at home or in the office, to those emitted through the use of transport, through heavy industry, or through general land use.
The NAEI methodology therefore uses a wide range of spatial data, including but not limited to:
• The Environment Agency’s pollution inventory• Department for Transport information on traffic flow data• Ordnance Survey data• 2001 Population census data• Office of National Statistics Interdepartmental Business Register
A detailed report describing the methodology and outputs of the NAEI is published each year and can be found on the NAEI website at www.naei.org.uk\reports.php (Dore et al, 2006). The detailed methodology used to map emissions in the UK (King et al, 2006) can also be found from the link above and the emissions at Local Authority are reported on the Defra website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/galocalghg.htm