David Charter, Europe Correspondent
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Britain pumped out more greenhouse gases last year under the EU carbon trading scheme designed to cut emissions, according to figures released in Brussels.
The British increase was 2.2 per cent. There was an overall increase across Europe of 0.68 per cent, or 16million tonnes of CO2. Emissions rose in ten of the EU's 27 countries, including Germany and Spain, despite the scheme's target to cut CO2 by a fifth by 2020.
Ministers argued that the extra 5.4 million tonnes of CO2 produced in Britain could be more than explained by 59 organisations joining the trading scheme, in which polluters are given carbon credits and forced to buy more if they emit beyond their allocation.
They added that when the scheme is revamped next year, there will be tougher controls on the number of credits available. Phil Woolas, the Environment Minister, said that without the new entrants into the scheme, emissions would have gone down by 2.9 million tonnes. “Companies are taking their responsibilities seriously and carbon reduction and trading has become a normal part of their business,” he said.
But environmental campaigners said that the figures, combined with plans for more coal-fired power stations, showed that the carbon-trading scheme was not tough enough to meet reduction targets.
“The only thing that matters is how much CO2 is going into the atmosphere,” said Robin Oakley, head of Greenpeace's climate campaign. “It does not sound credible to call the emissions-trading scheme a success when we have seen a proposal for a new coal-fired power station in Kent. It is not sending a strong enough signal to the power companies.”
Stavros Dimas, the EU Environment Commissioner, said that the rise in emissions was below the 2.8 per cent rise in Europe's GDP last year. “Emissions trading is yielding results,” he said. “Studies show that emissions would most likely have been significantly higher without the EU emission trading scheme.”
The biggest rises in tonnage of CO2 in 2007 came in Germany (up 8.99 million tonnes), Spain (up 6.79 million tonnes), Britain (up 5.42 million tonnes) and Czech Republic (up 4.21 million tonnes).
Yesterday a committee of MPs told the Government to go ahead with a system of personal “carbon credits”.
Under the scheme everybody would be given an annual carbon limit. Anyone who wanted to spend more could buy extra credits from low-carbon emitters.
The Environmental Audit Committee said it would be more effective than green taxes and would promote behavioural change. It admitted that there would be strong public opposition but urged the Government to be courageous.
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You know, I believe the world can have as much industry as we like PROVIDING!!! we maintain healthy forest ( MATURE OLD GROWTH ) around the world , that goes for CANIDA , BRAZIL , INDONESIA , RUSSIA... its all about balance, when will you learn!!!
Daniel Gibbs, Hythe, Southampton, UK
Co2 levels rise, as the world population rises.
This in turn makes plants for food grow more quickly, thus keeping the world in balance.
As usual, the 'know alls', get it totally the wrong way round
bowran, spalding,
Everybody must do their bit. Even if the UK is only 2%. Denying global warming is like holding a gun to my childrens' heads, how legal is that?. What is hypocritical is the government enforcing things like energy light bulbs then cancelling out the Carbon savings with a new airport runways.
keith bentham, Wigan, UK
I agree with Dave M, man-made climate change is a myth swallowed by N Bunker.
There has been no increase in global average temperature for a decade despite emissions rising. Water vapour rules greenhouse, not CO2e. 99.7% of greenhouse effect is natural. The UK contributio is 0.006%. Panic Not!
Rod Eaton, Melksham, UK
Frightening comments, hopefully from a generation soon to depart the planet. We have to become more sustainable- the world cannot support our current practices- FACT. Maybe personal carbon credits are not the answer but if they 'enlighten' A.Neale enough to use a bus, bring 'em on!
N.Bunker, Fulham, london,
The co2 level has must have gone up in London where they have put bus lanes like the A13 it used to take me about 40 mins from city rd to blackwall tunnel now since the bus lane it take 1 to 2 hours and that is bound to put up co2 levels and there are a lot more like it get rid of them co2 wiil go
A Neale, Leicester,
So what? We now know that whole anthropogenic theory of
global warming, ie that it is caused by man made carbon dioxide
emissions, was a political scam. To all the hard Green
activists - look at the electorate.
Your plan to de-industrialize the UK will not be put up with.
Dave M, London, UK
Just another sad ploy which will be used as an excuse to prepare us for adding more taxes on everything we do.
Paul Downes, Milton Keynes, Bucks
A week after taking power 11 years ago, this government embarked on an aggressive campaign to disrupt the flow of UK road traffic with thousands of new (non-intelligent) traffic lights added at vast expense. Nulab's ideological hatred of the motorist has turned the UK into an eco-pariah.
Marcus, Twickenham, UK
If the reason that CO2 emmissions have gone up is because we are counting more, then count less and our emmissions will go down. If you don't count any, then there will be no emmissions whatsoever. Simple.
David Leslie, Perth, Scotland
Everyone would be given an annual carbon limit? No doubt so low as you would need to purchase more before the year is out and what about those who cant afford it. "Turn that light out" Keep an eye on the Guardian jobs page Carbon Emission Enforcer required must be three parts muppet.
Cromwell, Leeds, England
Yes yes and the UK's TOTAL contribution to global "greenhouse" gases is 2%, yes 2%. Anyone else fed up of being taxed to the eyeballs in the name of "Environmental Changes"? We are not the perpetrators of the "crime", we're the victims.
S.Beaton, Montrose,
Buying and selling Carbon has nothing to do with planet saving, its just turned into another commodity for some to make money.
We all know that CO2 is not forcing global warming, but a new Tax Drive.
Personel Co2 credits that will help the crime rate.
Nemo
Jon Nemo, Llanelli, UK