Highlights
UK Environmental Accounts: 2019
What's in the bulletin?
- The continued switch away from coal towards gas and renewable energy resulted in a fall in UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2017, the continuation of a long-term trend.
- Households have been the biggest emitter of GHGs since 2015, accounting for one-quarter of total UK GHG emissions.
- Vegetation in the UK removed an estimated 28 million tonnes (CO2 equivalent) of carbon gases in 2017.
UK natural capital: urban accounts
What's in the bulletin?
- The total annual value of cooling from green and blue space in 2017 in Great Britain was valued at £243.6 million in labour productivity savings and avoided air conditioning energy costs.
- In 2017, the removal of air pollution by urban green and blue space in Great Britain equated to a saving of £162.6 million in associated health costs.
- The amount of carbon removed by woodland in UK urban areas was estimated to be worth £89.0 million during 2017.
A burning issue: biomass is the biggest source of renewable energy consumed in the UK
Analysis reveals the contribution of burning organic material from plants, trees and animals – including millions of tonnes of imported wood pellets from the USA and Canada – to the UK's energy mix. What is its environmental impact?
Datasets related to Environmental accounts
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Energy use: total
Data on the UK's direct use of energy (allocated to the original purchasers and consumers of fuels) from fossil fuels and other sources (nuclear, net imports, renewables, biofuels and waste) and reallocated use of energy (losses incurred during transformation and distribution are allocated to the final consumer of the energy rather than the electricity generation industry), by industry (SIC 2007 section - 21 categories), 1990 to 2017.
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Atmospheric emissions: greenhouse gases by industry and gas
Data on the emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro-fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride, nitrogen trifluoride and total greenhouse gas emissions, UK, 1990 to 2017.
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Low carbon and renewable energy economy final estimates
Final annual estimates of low carbon and renewable energy economy direct activity in the UK and constituent countries by turnover, businesses, employees, exports and imports, acquisitions and disposals.
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Energy use: renewable and waste sources
Data on the UK's energy use from renewable and waste sources, by source (for example, hydroelectric power, wind, wave, solar, and so on) and industry (SIC 2007 section - 21 categories), 1990 to 2017.
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Oil and gas: reserves and resources
Estimates of the UK's remaining recoverable oil and gas reserves and resources, 1995 to 2016.
Publications related to Environmental accounts
Statistical bulletins
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UK Environmental Accounts: 2019
Measuring the contribution of the environment to the economy, the impact of economic activity on the environment, and society's response to environmental issues. Satellite accounts to the main UK National Accounts.
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UK natural capital: urban accounts
Natural capital accounts containing information about green space in urban areas.
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UK Environmental Accounts: 2019
Measuring the contribution of the environment to the economy, the impact of economic activity on the environment, and society's response to environmental issues. Satellite accounts to the main UK National Accounts.
Articles
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How green is your street?
Have you ever wondered how green your street is compared with your neighbourhood, or your city? The Data Science Campus at Office for National Statistics is experimenting with a new way of analysing how green cities are.
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UK Natural Capital Land Cover in the UK
We take a look at land cover ecosystem accounts for the United Kingdom (UK). The land cover accounts based on data from the Countryside Survey show that the land cover changed significantly in the UK between 1998 and 2007.
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Environmental taxes
An examination of the size and composition of environmental taxes between 1993 and 2014. Including an analysis by type of environmental tax, a consideration of who pays the taxes and a comparison with other European countries. Main findings show that environmental taxes raised £44.6 billion in the UK in 2014, providing 7.5% of all revenue from taxes and social contributions
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Greenhouse gas emissions
Estimates of greenhouse gas emissions in 2013, for which UK residents and UK-based businesses are directly responsible (whether in the UK or overseas). These estimates have been produced on a consistent basis with the UK's national accounts and provide an important indicator for the environmental pressure caused by the UK's economic activities. Main findings show that greenhouse gas emissions in 2013 were estimated to be 2% lower than in 2012, and 23.6% lower than in 1990.
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UK Natural Capital Freshwater Ecosystem Assets and Services Accounts
This paper is a first attempt by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to develop initial experimental statistics on UK freshwater ecosystem assets and ecosystem services. Selecting a number of indicators, this paper shows the condition of UK freshwaters between 2008 and 2012. On an experimental basis, ONS also estimates that the monetary value of UK freshwaters was £37 billion in 2012, 26% higher than in 2008. This is mainly due to an increase in the monetary value of UK open waters. It is important to emphasise this monetary value is based on a limited number of ecosystem services that are covered by these accounts. The methodology to develop these indicators and monetary estimates remains under development and the estimates reported should be considered experimental. Further work will be undertaken to develop and improve them.
Looking for local statistics?
A handy guide to let you know where to find local statistics.