Britain's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Fell 2% in 2025

Britain's greenhouse gas emissions fell 2% last year

Overview of Emissions Reduction and Contributing Factors

By Susanna Twidale

Annual Emissions Data and Trends

LONDON, April 2 (Reuters) - Britain's greenhouse gas emissions fell by 2% last year, provisional government data showed on Thursday, as emissions from industry fell.

Net Zero Targets and Renewable Initiatives

Britain has a target to reach net zero emissions by 2050, which will require a huge increase in renewable electricity and a switch to cleaner electric vehicles.

Year-on-Year Emissions Comparison

Total greenhouse gas emissions were estimated at 367 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2025, down 7 million tons from 2024, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said.

Sector-Specific Emissions Changes

Industrial Sector

Impact of Blast Furnace Closures

The industrial sector saw the largest drop, with emissions down 12% due to blast furnace closures in the iron and steel sectors which led to lower gas use, DESNZ said.

Electricity Sector

End of Coal-Fired Power Generation

Last year also saw the first year there was no coal-fired power generation in Britain in more than 140 years after the last plant closed in September 2024.

Electricity sector emissions were down 1%.

Transport Sector

Increase in Petrol and Diesel Use

Emissions in the transport sector however rose 2% due to an increase in petrol and diesel use.

Long-Term Progress and Future Goals

Emissions Reduction Since 1990

The data means Britain's greenhouse gas emissions have fallen around 54% from 1990 levels.

Interim Targets for 2035

As part of efforts to meet the net zero goal, Britain set an interim target to cut greenhouse gases by 81% by 2035.

(Reporting by Susanna Twidale; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Jan Harvey)