Identifying climate change impacts of global imports

Overall CO2 emissions associated with UK consumption of goods increased between 1992 and 2004, according to new statistics released by the government.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a report which identifies the CO2 emissions created by goods and services imported into the UK.

In an increasingly global economy, imported goods and services have climate impacts in other countries and the key to reducing emissions across the international supply chain is knowing the scale and nature of the problem.

“As we accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, we must help business and individuals to understand and reduce the environmental impacts of the products and services they produce, sell or consume, wherever in the world they are made.

Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn

Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, said: 'Taking imports, exports and international transport into account, overall CO2 emissions associated with UK consumption of goods and services increased by nearly 115 mtCO2 (18%) between 1992 and 2004. During the same period, the UK has made real progress at home. By reducing the carbon intensity of our production processes and energy generation, our territorial CO2 emissions have fallen by around 5% over the same period.’

'Under international climate change agreements, we only have direct influence over our domestic emissions – and they are, and will remain, the basis for these commitments – but as we accelerate the move to a low carbon economy, we must help business and individuals to understand and reduce the environmental impacts of the products and services they produce, sell or consume, wherever in the world they are made.'