Carbon dioxide emissions in the United Kingdom totaled *** million metric tons (MtCOâ‚‚) in 2023. This was a decrease of roughly *** percent from 2022, and almost ** percent when compared to 1990 levels.
Most carbon polluting sector in the UK
Domestic transportation has been the largest source of UK COâ‚‚ emissions since the mid-2010s, and as of 2023 accounted for around one-third of the country's total COâ‚‚ emissions (excluding removals). Electricity supply was the biggest carbon polluter in previous years, but a transition away from coal-fired power toward cleaner energy sources like natural gas and renewables has seen emissions from this sector fall considerably in recent decades.Â
Historical UK emissions
While the UK has achieved significant emissions reductions in recent decades, especially when compared to other countries, its historical contributions to global emissions are considerable. Since the Industrial Revolution began, the UK has released almost ** GtCO₂ into the atmosphere, making it the eighth-biggest carbon polluter in history.
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GOV.UK, & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). (February 6, 2025). Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Retrieved July 23, 2026, from /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK, und Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). "Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) ." Chart. February 6, 2025. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. Accessed July 23, 2026. /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK, Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). (2025). Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) . ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 23, 2026. /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK, and Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). "Carbon Dioxide (Coâ‚‚) Emissions in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 1990 to 2023 (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide) ." ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ Inc., 6 Feb 2025, /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/
GOV.UK & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK), Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) ÌÇÐÄÆÆ½â°æ, /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/ (last visited July 23, 2026)
Carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) emissions in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph], GOV.UK, & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK), February 6, 2025. [Online]. Available: /statistics/449503/co2-emissions-united-kingdom-uk/