UK Achieves Record Emissions Reduction and Renewable Energy Milestones

In 2024, the United Kingdom achieved a significant environmental milestone by reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 4%, bringing them down to 371 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent from 385 million tons in 2023. This marks a 54% reduction since 1990, underscoring the nation's ongoing commitment to combating climate change. ​

A major contributor to this decline was the electricity sector, which experienced a 15% drop in emissions. This reduction is largely attributed to the closure of the UK's last coal-fired power station, Ratcliffe-on-Soar, in September 2024, and a significant increase in renewable energy generation. ​

For the first time, renewable sources supplied over half of the UK's electricity, with renewables generating a record 50.8% of the UK's electricity in 2024. Wind energy played a pivotal role, producing 84 terawatt hours (TWh), accounting for 26% of the nation's electricity. ​

Despite these advancements, the transport sector remained the largest source of emissions, responsible for 30% of the total. However, it did see a 2% reduction, mainly due to decreased diesel usage in road vehicles. Conversely, emissions from buildings rose by 2%, likely due to increased gas consumption.​

These developments align with the UK's ambitious climate targets, including a 68% reduction in emissions by 2030 and an 81% cut by 2035, relative to 1990 levels, as the nation progresses toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.