25 years after Rio, UK leads G7 in both growth and carbon cut

Over the last 25 years, the UK has been the most successful of the G7 countries at both growing its economy and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, according to a report by non-profit organisation the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU). 

The report found that, in the quarter-century since the signing of the United Nations Climate Convention at the Rio Earth Summit, Britons have become richer, on average, than citizens of any other G7 nation. At the same time, we have reduced our average carbon footprint further than citizens of any other G7 nation. The report was released to coincide with the launch of Mission 2020.

In 2014, the most recent year for which full figures across the G7 are available, UK per-capita greenhouse gas emissions were 33% down on 1992, while per-capita GDP grew by more than 130%, says the report. 

Several factors are behind the UK’s success, including a switch from coal to gas for electricity generation, energy efficiency schemes cutting demand, and a shift to a more service-based economy. The ECIU also contests the idea that the UK has cut its emissions at home by ‘exporting’ them – so that emissions produced in other countries through making goods imported in the UK have risen. On a per-capita basis, ‘imported’ emissions are now almost exactly the same as in 1997, the first year for which the government produced data, says the report.

Rixhard Black, Director of the ECIU, said the findings demolish the argument that curbing climate change ruins economies: ‘It’s really time to slay once and for all the old canard that cutting carbon emissions means economic harm. As this report shows, if you have consistent policymaking and cross-party consensus, it’s perfectly possible to get richer and cleaner at the same time. Britain isn’t the only country that’s done it – it’s true for most of the G7 – but we’ve clearly been the best of the bunch.’

 Black continued: ‘There are signs that these successes are now transferring to the rest of the world. Globally, emissions have been flat for three years while world GDP has grown by 8%. But science indicates this isn’t enough to fulfil the objective of the UN Convention and prevent dangerous climate change – for that, emissions need to start falling soon. This study should give confidence that with good policies, it’s achievable.’ 

Professor John Barrett of Leeds University, an authority on imported/exported emissions, commented: ‘While the UK’s imported emissions rose steadily during the 2000s, they are no longer doing so. On a per-capita basis, the carbon footprint of goods and services imported into the UK has reduced since the financial crisis,’ he said. 

‘However, the UK’s imported emissions remain very high in comparison to other developed countries and further action could be taken, including low carbon technology transfer and the more sustainable use of imported materials and products. This will help to ensure that the UK’s imported emissions do not rise in the future with economic growth,’ concluded Barrett.