Member Article

UK's CO2 hot spots

Reading has the highest CO2 emissions per dwelling in the UK - the average house in the town emits the same damage as two return flights between London and New York. The research, commissioned by British Gas, found that average house in Reading produces 6,189 Kg of CO2 – 27% above the UK average. The lowest levels of CO2 per house were found in Hull, where the gas consumption is 19% below the UK’s average and its electricity use 15% below the average. Sunderland was fourth worst in the country, and Newcastle was 11th worst. Jill Harrison, Head of Consumer Affairs, British Gas said: “Around 25 percent of UK carbon emission is generated in domestic properties. The difference between the areas of the UK with low domestic CO2 emissions and those producing high emissions is staggering. With £1 in every £3 spent heating homes being wasted, it is clear that energy efficiency in particular has the potential to deliver dramatic emissions reductions and reduce energy billS. “The Chancellor, in his budget, has made £20 million available to Local Authorities to promote energy efficiency. It’s clear that urgent action from poor performing councils is needed now if the Government by 2010.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .