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?

SSE to build new CCGT and halve generation emissions by 2030

2018-6-5
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 to ...

Annual carbon emissions rose to highest ever level in 2017

2018-5-21
Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions reached a record yearly high of 32.5 gigatonnes in 2017, due to a rise in global energy demand that was mainly met by fossil fuel use. This is at odds wi...

S Pickett, Investing in zero emissions, NewScientist, 5 May 2018, p 20

2018-5-5
In UK, The Octopus Group advises investment in zero-free electric propulsion in view of the 40000 deaths annually from air pollution, the high up-front costs of such vehicles being likely to reduce si...

Coal down and renewables up lead to lower carbon emissions in 2017

2018-5-1
UK carbon emissions and coal production both fell in 2017, by 3% and 27% respectively, while renewable power generation rose by 19% – according to early and provisional data published by the De...

IMO agrees strategy to halve shipping emissions by 2050

2018-5-1
The UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted, for the first time, a plan to lower greenhouse gas emissions from the world’s ships, agreeing to peak emissions as soon as...

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...

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...

IP Standard Test Methods for analysis and testing of petroleum and related products, and British Standard 2000 Parts, 2018

2018
IP Standard test methods (STM) is an essential part of any quality control regime for petroleum testing laboratories. A necessary tool for the national and international testing of petroleum and petro...

Guidance on environmental management at filling stations

2017
This publication acts a reference guide for individuals charged with environmental protection at filling stations and to direct them to relevant legislation, codes of practice and other publications. ...