1. Main points
UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a residence basis were estimated to be 119 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt Co2e) in Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2023, around 2.5% lower than in Quarter 2 2022.
In Quarter 2 2023, 0.19 tonnes of Co2e were emitted per million pounds of UK economic activity (gross value added), around 2.9% lower than Quarter 2 2022.
These are experimental quarterly estimates of UK GHG emissions; they use additional data and improved predictor indicators to provide a more precise indication of the quarter-on-quarter changes than the first experimental estimates released in July 2023.
All emission estimates in this bulletin and accompanying data are produced using modelling techniques, with estimates for Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2023 and Quarter 2 2023 subject to greater uncertainty.
Our quarterly emissions estimates complement and draw on our annual estimates on a residence basis, published on 9 October 2023.
We refer to residence-based emissions in this release. This is one of three official measures of UK greenhouse gas emissions. Territorial emissions, published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), is the measure generally used for greenhouse gas emissions targets. Footprint emissions, published by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), account for emissions from trade.
2. Experimental estimates of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions (residence basis), UK data
Experimental estimates of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions
Dataset | Released 3 November 2023
Experimental estimates of UK quarterly greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on a residence basis.
Atmospheric emissions: greenhouse gas emissions by industry and gas
Dataset | Released 9 October 2023
The emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydro-fluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, sulphur hexafluoride, nitrogen trifluoride and total greenhouse gas emissions, by industry (SIC 2007 group, around 130 categories), UK, 1990 to 2021 and (provisional) 2022.
Energy Trends
Dataset | Released 28 September 2023
Quarterly publication which presents data on the supply and demand of all the major fuels in the UK.
3. Measuring the data
All estimates presented in this bulletin and our accompanying dataset have been produced using temporal disaggregation and modelling techniques and are therefore subject to uncertainty. Please see the Glossary section of our previous bulletin for definitions of these terms.
The main source of information and predictor indicators for producing these experimental estimates are:
the UK annual estimates of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on a residence basis
the Energy trends publication from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which provides information on UK energy production, consumption, and trade for energy overall and specific fuels
All estimates of the annual GHG series and the latest quarter of the energy trends are provisional and subject to revisions.
This bulletin presents non-seasonally adjusted estimates. Estimates on both a non-seasonally adjusted and seasonally adjusted basis are available in our accompanying dataset.
Quality
More quality and methodology information on strengths, limitations, appropriate uses, and how these quarterly estimates were created is available in our Experimental estimates of UK quarterly greenhouse gas emissions (residence basis), Quality and Methodology Information.
Nôl i'r tabl cynnwys5. Cite this statistical bulletin
Office for National Statistics (ONS), released 3 November 2023, ONS website, statistical bulletin, Experimental estimates of quarterly greenhouse gas emissions (residence basis), UK: Quarter 2 (Apr to June) 2023