Climate change and emissions

Global average temperature has risen by approximately 1°C since the late 19th century

Global weather patterns change over time, driven by natural and human factors. The long-term measurement of weather in a region is known as its climate. The Earth's climate is currently warming, primarily due to the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide and methane emitted by human activities such as the use of fossil fuels for energy. Changes to the climate are likely to result in disruptions to water resources, ecosystems and crop yields, as well as increased climate-related extremes, vulnerability of marginalised populations and sea level rise. To avoid the worst impacts, significant efforts are underway to harness energy in ways that reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Since 1992, most countries have been part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a treaty providing a framework for international cooperation for combatting climate change.

Learn more about climate change and emissions by exploring records published on our Energy Matrix.
For details on the progress in achieving the global and national climate change targets read the Energy World analyses.
Discover UK energy professionals' views of the best measures to reach emissions targets by reading our annual Energy Barometer.

What's new?

Renewables up, carbon emissions down in 2017

2018-8-1
Once again, large falls in both coal production and use, together with the continuing rise in electricity generated from renewable energy sources, were the key changes in UK energy statistics for 2017...

ICAO Council approved detailed rules on global air fuel emissions system

2018-7-20
The Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has approved key rules of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the global system for...

Building a market for hydrogen to meet 2050 climate change targets

2018-7-16
Hydrogen could help reduce emissions from heat, industry and transport – areas which urgently require further progress if the UK is to meet its climate change targets, according to a new report...

London hospital's major new energy centre to reduce yearly carbon emissions by 6,000 tonnes

2018-7-4
A London hospital has undergone a major overhaul of its energy facilities, which will cut its yearly carbon dioxide emissions by 20% (6,000 tonnes) – the equivalent to taking 3,000 cars off the...

SSE to build new CCGT and halve generation emissions by 2030

2018-6-22
One of the ‘big six’ energy supply majors, SSE, is to collaborate with Siemens in building a new gas-fired power station at Keadby in North Lincolnshire and has also set a new ambition t...

Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations (known as the Blue Book)

2018
The fourth edition of Design, construction, modification, maintenance and decommissioning of filling stations (also known as the Blue Book) is essential reading for all those involved in the design, c...

Fuels for gas turbine engines

2018
Published by Landfall Press; Author: Eric Goodger. Since its emergence during WW2 as a viable alternative to the piston engine,the gas turbine engine has enjoyed a period of rapid development, be...

Guidelines for the uplift of petroleum, petroleum products and other fuels from retail filling stations and customers' tanks

2018
These guidelines have been prepared on the basis that most product uplift operations are outsourced to specialist uplift contractors by clients who encounter them infrequently. For the former, they id...

Good practice guidance for controlling noise on offshore installations

2018
UK regulations that apply to offshore installations require the control of noise to be managed where it affects the workers at work and rest. They recognise the importance of managing the hazards asso...

EI Research report: Exposures to asbestos from work on removal of compressed asbestos fibre gaskets

2018
The oil and gas industry has many facilities where there are large numbers of gaskets on flanges and valves within pipework. Many of these were installed at a time when CAF gaskets were the normal mat...