The levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and woodland coverage vary across the UK. The interactive maps let you see how your area looks, and how it compares with other areas.
Total UK CO2 emissions fell by 36% between 2005 and 2019, but the picture varies depending on where you live.
In England, overall CO2 emissions reduced by 36% between 2005 and 2019, compared with 35% in Scotland, 29% in Wales and 23% in Northern Ireland.
Across the English regions level, between 2005 and 2019 CO2 emissions fell the most in percentage terms in the North East (56%) and the least in the East of England (30%).
Out of 379 local authority districts in the UK, parts of Greater London had the highest CO2 emissions by area in 2019.
The City of London, historically the UK capital’s financial district, had 203 kilotonnes (kt) CO2 per kilometre squared (km2), down by 61% since 2005. However, it is also the smallest local authority area at just 3 km2.
Area emissions in Westminster were 77 kt CO2 per km2 in 2019, down 50% from 155 kt CO2 per km2 in 2005, with the next 11 areas with the highest CO2 emissions per km2 all London boroughs: Kensington and Chelsea, Tower Hamlets, Camden, Islington, Hammersmith and Fulham, Lambeth, Hackney, Southwark, Newham, Wandsworth and Haringey.
Slough had the highest CO2 emissions by area outside London in 2019, at 21 kt CO2 per km2, down by 18% since 2005.
Although Northumberland had the highest percentage fall in CO2 emissions per km2 since 2005 (down by 82%), it started from a comparatively low base of less than 1 kt CO2 per km2.
Redcar and Cleveland, an area known for large industrial installations, some of which closed recently, has seen its CO2 emissions by area fall 77% from 42 kt CO2 per km2 in 2005 to 10 kt CO2 per km2 in 2019.
Emissions decreased the least in percentage terms in Neath Port Talbot, down by 9% from 17 kt CO2 per km2 in 2005 to 16 kt CO2 per km2 in 2019. The area is also known for heavy industry.
The UK plans to plant many more trees to absorb greenhouse gases
How land is used will play a role in removing, or “sequestering”, some of the emissions that are produced. Trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. In 2017, woodland in the UK is estimated to have removed 18 million tonnes of CO2, which is equivalent to 4% of the total UK greenhouse gas emissions that year, not including shipping or aviation.
The area of tree-covered woodland in the UK has increased by 11% between 1998 and 2021.
In the year ending March 2021, woodland covered about 3.2 million hectares (13%) of the UK’s land area and, by proportion of area, accounted for:
- 10% of England
- 15% of Wales
- 19% of Scotland
- 9% of Northern Ireland
This compares with an average estimated woodland coverage of 31% worldwide, 32% in France, 33% in Germany and 11% in the Republic of Ireland in 2020.
