Skip to content

Britain's path to net zero

UK emissions were 367 million tonnes in 2025, 54% below 1990, on provisional figures. The law requires net zero by 2050.

Cut since 1990
54%
791 to 367 MtCO₂e
Renewable electricity, 2025
52.1%
of generation, a record
Fourth carbon budget
39% used
757 of 1,950 Mt used so far (2023–24)
Years to net zero
24
target year 2050

Greenhouse gas emissions

Million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. At the 2015 to 2025 pace, 2030 would see 295 Mt against a target of 253.

Latest 367 Mt in 2025, 54% below 1990

  • Actual
  • Path to targets
  • Recent pace
UK greenhouse gas emissions since 1990, with the path to the 2030, 2035 and 2050 targets199020002010202020302040205002505007502030: 68% below 19902035: 81% below2050: net zero

Renewable and coal shares

Share of UK electricity generation.

  • Renewables
  • Coal
Renewable and coal shares of UK electricity since 201020102015202020250%15%30%45%60%

Ratcliffe-on-Soar, Britain's last coal power station, closed on 30 September 2024. 2025 was the first full year without coal generation.

Emissions by sector, 2025

Million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, provisional.

  • Domestic transport113
  • Buildings80
  • Agriculture46
  • Industry41
  • Electricity supply37
  • Fuel supply27
  • Waste21

Electricity supply emissions have fallen 82% since 1990. Domestic transport, now the largest source, has fallen 9%.

How other countries compare

Change in fossil CO₂ emissions, 1990 to 2024.

IncreaseCut
  • UK−48%
  • Germany−46%
  • France−33%
  • Japan−17%
  • USA−4%
  • Canada+16%
  • China+395%

China's bar is cut off at 60% to keep the others readable.

Carbon budgets

Legally binding five-year limits, million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

  1. CB1 2008–12Met, 2,982 of 3,018
  2. CB2 2013–17Met, 2,398 of 2,782
  3. CB3 2018–22Met, 2,153 of 2,544
  4. CB4 2023–27757 of 1,950 so far
  5. CB5 2028–32cap 1,725
  6. CB6 2033–37cap 965
  7. CB7 2038–42cap 535

Milestones and targets

  1. 2016UK ratifies Paris AgreementDone
  2. 2017First full day without coal power since 1882Done
  3. 20192050 net zero target written into lawDone
  4. 2020Coal below 2% of electricityDone
  5. 2024Last coal power station (Ratcliffe-on-Soar) closesDone
  6. 2024Renewables exceed 50% of electricity generationDone
  7. 2026Seventh carbon budget (2038–42) passed into lawDone
  8. 2030Clean Power 2030: at least 95% clean electricityTarget
  9. 2030Emissions 68% below 1990Target
  10. 2035Emissions 81% below 1990Target
  11. 2050Net zero greenhouse gas emissionsTarget