Committee on Climate Change

In 2010 residential emissions accounted for approximately a quarter of total UK GHG emissions.

INSERT FIGURE 3.1

Total residential CO₂ emissions increased by 8% in 2010, following a 10% reduction in 2009. Therefore emissions in 2010 were above the level set out in our indicator framework, and even further above an illustrative trajectory which reflects the impact of the recession (Insert figure 3.5 and 3.6).

However, the key driver of increased emissions in 2010 was the cold winter weather, with some increase attributable to falling energy prices, and with some small offsetting reductions due to implementation of measures:

• Direct residential emissions account for 57% of total residential CO₂ emissions. They increased by 13% in 2010 after a 6% fall in 2009.
• The rise in direct emissions in 2010 can be attributed to a 15% rise in gas use in 2010 brought about by cold weather in the winter months of 2010.
• Adjusting energy consumption for changes in weather, total energy consumption in the residential sector would have fallen 1%, with direct emissions in 2009 also falling 1% .
• Real gas and electricity prices fell 9% and 5% respectively in 2010, which may have contributed to the increase in emissions.
• Implementation of measures slipped in 2010. There will be a need for a significant acceleration in the pace of emissions reduction if indicators and carbon budgets are to be achieved.

There is significant potential to reduce the current level of emissions from homes, and by 2020, a 33% reduction on current levels is possible if the right policies are put in place.

This includes a reduction of around a fifth in direct emissions through improvement in energy efficiency and insulation measures and a fall in indirect emissions of around half brought about by the decarbonisation of the electricity sector (based on CCC projections, the CO₂ emitted per unit of electricity consumed should fall by around 40% over the period).