CO2 emissions in south east London between 2005 and 2021

Data from the Department from Energy Security and Net Zero has revealed the levels of greenhouse gas emissions for each south east London borough between 2005 and 2021.

Each south east London borough reported saw a decrease in the amount of gas emissions between 2005, when data was first made available, and 2021.

Greenhouse gas emissions are normally measured in kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent (ktCO2e).

The figures cover emissions measured “within the scope of influence” of the local authority, meaning it excludes pollution from sources such as motorways and large industrial plants.

In 2021, Bromley had the highest levels of CO2 emissions with 977 ktCO2e, followed by Greenwich with 786 ktCO2e.

Bexley had a total of 772 ktCO2e in 2021, followed by Lewisham with 664 ktCO2e and finally Dartford with 463 ktCO2e.

We’ve put together an interactive chart which reveals the number of CO2 emissions in each south east London borough in 2005 and 2021.

Here’s a full breakdown of each south east London borough:

Bexley

In Bexley, CO2 emissions have dropped 39.4 per cent from a total of 1,274 ktCO2e in 2005 to 772 ktCO2e in 2021.

However, that includes a rise of 6 per cent from 728 ktCO2e in 2020 to 772 ktCO2e in 2021.

This was the equivalent of 3.1 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2021.

Bromley

In Bromley, CO2 emissions have dropped 38.2 per cent from a total of 1,580 ktCO2e in 2005 to 977 ktCO2e in 2021.

That includes a rise of 7.8 per cent from 906 ktCO2e in 2020 to 977 ktCO2e in 2021.

This was the equivalent of 3 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2021.

Dartford

CO2 emissions in Dartford have dropped 40.7 per cent from a total of 780 ktCO2e in 2005 to 463 ktCO2e in 2021.

That includes a rise of 9.5 per cent from 423 ktCO2e in 2020 to 463 ktCO2e in 2021.

This was the equivalent of 4 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2021.

Greenwich

Carbon dioxide emissions in Greenwich have dropped 39.1 per cent from a total of 1,291 ktCO2e in 2005 to 786 ktCO2e in 2021.

That includes a rise of 10.4 per cent from 712 ktCO2e in 2020 to 786 ktCO2e in 2021.

This was the equivalent of 2.7 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2021.

Lewisham

In Lewisham, CO2 emissions have dropped 43.9 per cent from a total of 1,183 ktCO2e in 2005 to 664 ktCO2e in 2021.

That includes a rise of 3.9 per cent from 639 ktCO2e in 2020 to 664 ktCO2e in 2021.

This was the equivalent of 2.2 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2021.

Sandra Bell, campaigner at Friends of the Earth, an environmental charity said: "There remains significant variation in how local authorities are performing on climate, and no council is getting everything right - nor will they until they are given more powers and funding from central government.

“National climate targets will not be met unless the government recognises the vital role that councils must play in working with communities to achieve transformative change."

Ms Bell has urged for a council-led programme with street-by-street insulation to help reduce CO2 emissions.

Local authority emissions across the UK have dropped 39 percent since 2005, which included a significant decrease in 2020 during the pandemic.

However, they saw an 8% increase between 2020 and 2021 as lockdown restrictions ended in the UK.

Chris Stark, the CCC’s chief executive, said: “There are no secrets for net zero any longer, we know how to do it.

“Right across the board we have well-worked-through strategies for how to cut carbon emissions to zero in most areas and for those sectors that we can’t get to absolute zero, we have enough capacity in the natural world and through more engineered solutions to take carbon out of the atmosphere.

“Those things take time.

“They need to put policies in place now that would steer us towards that future.

“That’s what we’re not seeing at the pace that’s required.”

Responding to the report, a Government spokesperson said: “The UK is cutting emissions faster than any other G7 country and attracted billions of investment into renewables, which now account for 40 per cent of our electricity.

“In the last year alone, we have confirmed the first state backing of a nuclear project in over 30 years and invested billions to kick-start new industries like carbon capture and floating offshore wind.”