environment
sustainability
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England
This data insight describes long-term trends in territorial greenhouse gas emissions in the Greater West of England between 2005 and 2023.
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 trends in emissions by greenhouse gas and by sector, index-based trends relative to 2005, and the latest annual changes in emissions between 2022 and 2023. It also shows how emissions trends vary across local authority areas within the Greater West of England.
The statistics are published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and relate to territorial greenhouse gas emissions within UK borders.
−46.17%
Change in carbon dioxide emissions in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023
−51%
Change in methane emissions in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023
24.14
Lowest indexed value for industry emissions in the Greater West of England since 2005, recorded in 2023 (2005 = 100).
−517
ktCO₂e - Net change in territorial emissions in the Greater West of England, 2022-2023
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions by gas in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023
This visualisation shows territorial greenhouse gas emissions by greenhouse gas type in the Greater West of England between 2005 and 2023.
Carbon dioxide emissions declined from 18,349.21 ktCO₂e in 2005 to 9,876.12 ktCO₂e in 2023. Methane emissions declined from 3,123.36 ktCO₂e to 1,529.09 ktCO₂e over the same period. Nitrous oxide emissions declined from 1,354.30 ktCO₂e to 577.75 ktCO₂e.
Reductions were recorded for all three gases over the period, with the largest absolute reductions observed for carbon dioxide.
Trends in greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023
This visualisation shows territorial greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the Greater West of England between 2005 and 2023.
Transport emissions declined from 6,003.22 ktCO₂e in 2005 to 5,050.59 ktCO₂e in 2023, with lower levels recorded in 2020 followed by partial increases in subsequent years. Domestic emissions declined from 5,740 ktCO₂e to 2,771 ktCO₂e over the period.
Industrial emissions declined from 3,791.13 ktCO₂e in 2005 to 915.28 ktCO₂e in 2023. Commercial and public sector emissions also declined over the period. Waste emissions declined from 1,713.89 ktCO₂e to 504.96 ktCO₂e.
Emissions from land use, land use change and forestry were negative throughout the period, reflecting net removals.
Indexed trends in greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023 (2005 = 100)
This visualisation shows indexed trends in greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the Greater West of England, with 2005 set equal to 100. Emissions from land use, land use change and forestry are excluded.
By 2023, industry emissions had an index value of 24.14, indicating emissions at around one quarter of their 2005 level. Commercial emissions recorded an index value of 38.93, while public sector emissions recorded an index value of 36.18.
Domestic and waste emissions recorded index values of 48.27 and 29.46 respectively in 2023. Transport emissions recorded an index value of 84.13, indicating a smaller proportional reduction over the period compared with several other sectors. Agricultural emissions recorded an index value of 83.97, consistent with a more gradual decline since 2005.
Indexed trends in total greenhouse gas emissions across local authority areas in the Greater West of England, 2005-2023
This visualisation shows indexed trends in total territorial greenhouse gas emissions across local authority areas within the Greater West of England, with 2005 set equal to 100.
Between 2005 and 2023, all local authority areas recorded index values below 100, indicating lower emissions in 2023 than in 2005. By 2023, index values ranged from 41.32 in South Gloucestershire to 67.68 in North Somerset.
In 2023, index values for Bath and North East Somerset and Bristol were 53.73 and 43.68 respectively, while Gloucestershire recorded an index value of 58.97. Index values for Swindon and Wiltshire were 50.75 and 54.58 respectively.
Annual change in greenhouse gas emissions by sector in the Greater West of England, 2022-2023
This visualisation shows the net change in territorial greenhouse gas emissions by sector and greenhouse gas between 2022 and 2023.
Across most sectors and gases, emissions declined between 2022 and 2023. The largest reductions in carbon dioxide emissions were recorded in the domestic sector (−198.66 ktCO₂e), industry (−96.42 ktCO₂e) and the public sector (−75.78 ktCO₂e).
Methane emissions declined across most sectors, with the largest reduction recorded in the waste sector (−35.59 ktCO₂e). Nitrous oxide emissions declined in most sectors, while small increases were recorded in the waste sector of 1.50 t CO₂e.
Annual change in greenhouse gas emissions across local authority areas in the Greater West of England, 2022-2023
This visualisation shows the net change in territorial greenhouse gas emissions by greenhouse gas across local authority areas within the Greater West of England between 2022 and 2023.
Carbon dioxide emissions declined in most areas over the period. The largest reductions were recorded in Gloucestershire (−138.78 ktCO₂e) and Bristol (−100.04 ktCO₂e). An increase in carbon dioxide emissions was recorded in North Somerset (31.25 ktCO₂e).
Methane emissions declined in most areas, with the largest reductions recorded in Bristol (−23.35 ktCO₂e) and North Somerset (−18.09 ktCO₂e). Increases were recorded in South Gloucestershire (7.92 ktCO₂e) and Swindon (0.37 ktCO₂e).
Changes in nitrous oxide emissions varied across areas. Reductions were recorded in Gloucestershire (−3.46 ktCO₂e) and Swindon (−3.77 ktCO₂e), while increases were recorded in Wiltshire (1.09 ktCO₂e) and North Somerset (0.29 ktCO₂e).
