Government publishes official emissions figures

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced the publication of carbon dioxide emissions figures for 2006 and revised estimates for 2005.

According to the environmental analysis, the industrial and commercial sectors were responsible for the highest shares of end-user emissions in 48 per cent of the authorities surveyed.

Road transport had the highest share of emissions in 23 per cent of authorities, though it also had the lowest share in 56 per cent of councils.

"In 2006, about 47 per cent of domestic end-user emissions come from gas use and 43 per cent are due to electricity consumption," Defra said.

It added that these figures have not changed considerably from 2005, when the figures were 48 per cent and 42 per cent respectively.

Earlier this month, Defra announced the launch of the Home Energy Saving Programme with the goal of saving homeowners money on their utilities bills while also reducing carbon emissions to boost air quality and tackle climate change.