Domesday Live

Is the UK on track for net zero?

UK greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by more than two-fifths since 1990, among the fastest falls of any big economy, mostly because coal has been replaced in electricity generation. The harder part is still to come: heating, transport and industry have fallen much less. The legal target is net zero by 2050.

Why it happens

• Electricity did the heavy lifting. Coal, which generated about 80% of Britain's electricity in 1990, has closed: the last coal power station shut in 2024. Wind, solar and gas replaced it, cutting emissions most.
• Buildings and transport are harder. Heating homes with gas and driving petrol cars still cause most of the remaining emissions, and switching needs heat pumps and electric vehicles.
• A legal target and budgets. The Climate Change Act sets five-year carbon budgets. The independent Climate Change Committee reports each year on whether the UK is meeting them.