UK greenhouse gas emissions fell 1% in 2025 to 473 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said Wednesday, with the total remaining 42.4% below its 1990 level.
The ONS release covers emissions generated by UK economic activities and reports the total on a residence basis. The 2025 estimate was 42.4% lower than in 1990. These figures use different reference points: the 1% decline compares 2025 with 2024, while the longer-term measure compares it with 1990.
Emissions intensity stayed at 0.14 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per £1 million of gross value added. This measure relates emissions to the value added by economic activity. The figures therefore show a lower national total alongside no change in emissions per unit of gross value added. The total, intensity measure and sector shares offer different views of the emissions estimate.
Manufacturing recorded the largest industry decline. Emissions from the sector fell 9.7%, from 64 million tonnes in 2024 to 58 million tonnes in 2025. The reported totals amount to a decrease of 6 million tonnes. The ONS figures identify the size of the change but do not provide a reason for it.
Consumer expenditure made up 26.5% of emissions, the largest contribution from a single category. The category includes individuals’ use of fuels and other products. Transport accounted for 16.4% of the total. These percentages describe each category’s share of 2025 emissions, rather than changes from the previous year.
The 2025 estimates are provisional. The ONS published the release Wednesday, Oct. 28.
