Comparisons of greenhouse gas emissions trends across the Greater West of England and selected UK areas

5 Mar 2026

This data insight compares long-term and recent trends in territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England with England and other selected UK areas.

The Greater West of England is a bespoke geography defined here as Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

The analysis presents indexed trends since 2005, trends in emissions per head, changes in emissions per head by sector, long-term percentage changes since 2005, and the latest annual percentage change between 2022-2023.

The statistics are published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and relate to territorial greenhouse gas emissions within UK borders.

52.49

Emission index for the Greater West of England in 2023 (2005 = 100)

4.60 tCO₂e

Greenhouse gas emissions per head in the Greater West of England, 2023

−47.51%

Change in greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023

−4.14%

Change in greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England, 2022-2023.

Indexed greenhouse gas emissions trends in the Greater West of England and England, 2005- 2023

This visualisation shows indexed trends in territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England and England between 2005- 2023, with 2005 set equal to 100.

Between 2005- 2023, the emissions index for the Greater West of England declined from 100 to 52.49. Over the same period, the England index declined from 100 to 54.03.

Across most years, emissions trends in the Greater West of England were consistent with those recorded for England, with both geographies showing lower index values in 2023 than in 2005.

Greenhouse gas emissions per head in the Greater West of England and England, 2005-2023

This visualisation shows trends in greenhouse gas emissions per head in the Greater West of England and England between 2005-2023.

Emissions per head declined in both geographies over the period. In 2005, emissions per head were 10.2 tonnes in the Greater West of England and 10.1 tonnes in England. By 2023, emissions per head had declined to 4.6 tonnes in the Greater West of England and 4.8 tonnes in England.

Across the period, emissions per head in the Greater West of England were generally lower than those recorded for England and followed a broadly consistent trend over time.

Change in greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England per head, by sector, 2005-2023

This visualisation shows the change in greenhouse gas emissions per head between 2005-2023 by sector, for the Greater West of England and England.

Across both geographies, reductions in emissions per head were recorded in all sectors. The largest reductions in the Greater West of England were recorded in the domestic sector (−1.50 tonnes) and the industry sector (−1.34 tonnes).

Changes in emissions per head by sector in the Greater West of England were generally consistent with those recorded for England. For example, domestic emissions declined by 1.49 tonnes in England, compared with a decline of 1.50 tonnes in the Greater West of England.

Percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions, selected UK areas, 2005-2023

This visualisation shows the percentage change in territorial greenhouse gas emissions between 2005- 2023 across selected combined authority areas, countries and the UK.

The Greater West of England recorded a reduction of 47.51% over the period. This was consistent with the reduction recorded for England (45.97%) and the UK (45.76%).

Across the areas shown, percentage changes ranged from −77.84% in Tees Valley to −28.86% in Northern Ireland. Reductions recorded in the Greater West of England were within the range observed across other selected areas.

Annual percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions, selected UK areas, 2022-2023

This visualisation shows the percentage change in territorial greenhouse gas emissions between 2022- 2023 across selected UK areas.

Between 2022- 2023, greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England declined by 4.14%. This decline was consistent with the change recorded for England (−4.95%) and the UK (−4.37%).

Across the selected areas, percentage changes ranged from −10.0% in Greater Lincolnshire to −1.65% in Scotland. Changes recorded for the Greater West of England were within the range observed across other UK areas.