UK greenhouse gas emissions higher than 1990

Britain's emissions of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide are now higher than they were in 1990, the benchmark year used in government targets to tackle the pollution which is driving climate change.

A study by scientists at the Tyndall centre, Manchester University, shows that soaring carbon emissions from the aviation and shipping industries have swamped attempts to reduce pollution from other UK sectors.

The analysis is the first attempt to measure total UK emissions by including those from all ships and aircraft, which are still outside official data on emissions.

The news will give more ammunition to critics of the government's credibility on climate change amid mounting exasperation among scientists that politicians who acknowledge the threat of global warming are failing to take serious action to cut emissions.

Emissions from aircraft and ships entering and leaving Britain have more than doubled since 1990 and are expected to double again within a decade. The study comes as ministers are poised to publish a review of climate change policies intended by 2010 to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent of 1990 levels.

    *Source: http://epaper.hindustantimes.com,dated Monday,March 13,2006.*