The Office for National Statistics has revealed the levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and woodland coverage in Lancashire.
The UK Government has set a target for at least 30,000 hectares of trees a year to be planted by May 2024, which is the equivalent to an area twice the size of Cardiff.
Total UK CO2 emissions dropped 36 percent between 2005 and 2019, but the ONS has also revealed how this looks in each area.
Earlier this week, the government set out its Net Zero Strategy proposal which said it aims for the UK to be solely powered by clean energy by 2035 and end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030.
Our world-leading Sustainability Disclosure Requirements will require firms to set out green credentials to potential investors.
— HM Treasury (@hmtreasury) October 20, 2021
The landmark reforms will create a greener financial system to boost the economy, protect the planet and support net zero.https://t.co/WoAAx5XoOD pic.twitter.com/dcsfRMDm0Z
What are CO2 emissions like in Lancashire?
The ONS released data measuring the CO2 emissions per square kilometre and how this has changed since 2005.
Blackburn with Darwen has seen the biggest drop, with a 43 percent decrease in emissions since 2005.
Here are the CO2 emissions per sq km for each area:
- Burnley 3.6
- Chorley 3.2
- Pendle 2.4
- Preston 4.9
- Ribble Valley 1.6
- Rossendale 2.5
- South Ribble 5.8
- West Lancashire 2.4
- Blackburn with Darwen 4.8
- Blackpool 10.9
How much woodland is in Lancashire?
Ribble Valley topped the list in Lancashire, with 5547.1 hectares of woodland in the area.
West Lancashire came last on the list with just 4.26 percent of its area covered in woodland.
In the UK up to March 2021, there were 13,290 hectares of new woodland planted.
Here are the percentage of woodland in each area:
- Preston 5.26
- Ribble Valley 9.51
- Rossendale 6.61
- South Ribble 5.81
- West Lancashire 4.26
How does this compare to the rest of the UK?
According to the data, out of 379 local authority districts in the UK, parts of Greater London had the highest CO2 emissions by area in 2019.
Northumberland had the highest percentage fall in CO2 emissions per km2 since 2005, with a decrease of 82 percent.
In England, Waverley in Surrey had the highest proportion of its area covered by woodland, with almost 34 percent in 2019.
To see a closer breakdown of your area or to compare Lancashire's results with the rest of the country, visit the ONS website.
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