Decarbonisation of the electricity grid has occurred faster in the UK than in other countries over the last decade according to a new report.
According to academics from Imperial College London, emissions fell twice as quickly compared to any other major economy, demonstrating that the UK’s move away from coal to renewable sources, including biomass now used at Lynemouth Power Station, has ‘dramatically’ driven down carbon emissions.
The report showed that the UK has cut carbon intensity by 58%, double the reduction seen in other major economies over the same period, with renewable power increasing six-fold over a ten year period.
Power generation from coal fell from 30% to just 2% during this time, with renewables rising simultaneously from 8% to 42% of the UK’s electricity supply.
The shift to renewables also means that UK households have each reduced their CO2 emissions by three-quarters of a tonne per year compared to the start of the decade. This is equivalent (approximately) to the CO2generated by a family of four taking a return flight from the UK to Spain.