Climate-heating greenhouse gases coming from the UK fell last year, partly because soaring costs forced businesses and households to cut back on power. Overall, emissions of gases like carbon dioxide and methane from within the UK's borders fell by 5.4% in 2023 compared with 2022 levels. That brings the total to a new recent low of 384.2 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent , according to the provisional 2023 figures released on Thursday by the energy security department .
'No surprise' at impact of cost of living Glenn Rickson, who analyses the UK power sector for S&P Global Commodity Insights, said 'budgets were squeezed' by interest rates, inflation, mortgages as well as high bills. Although some homes cut emissions by installing heat pumps, the 'cost effect' had a much greater impact on emissions from households, he said.