Green energy cuts carbon emissions

Oct 22 2012

Electricity generated through renewable energy projects has displaced over eight million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to new figures.

Scottish Renewables said it is the equivalent of removing 3.5 million vehicles from the roads - more than every licensed car in Scotland.

The figures, obtained through a parliamentary question, show that 8.36 million tonnes of CO2 emissions were displaced by renewable electricity generation in 2011.

Environmental charity WWF Scotland said it could be compared to turning off a coal-fired power station such as Longannet, in Fife, which is said to emit around 8.5 million tonnes of CO2 a year.

Joss Blamire, senior policy manager of Scottish Renewables, said: "The latest figures show that Scottish renewables projects displaced the equivalent of 15% of the country's total carbon emissions, which is 55.7 Mt CO2.

"This is proof that Scotland's renewables industry is establishing itself as one of the most effective weapons in tackling climate change and addressing the greatest threat to our natural environment.

"Renewable electricity produced in Scotland by technologies such as wind and hydro already amounts to over one third of the total used in all of our homes and businesses, and these latest figures are evidence that we are delivering further real benefits."

Dr Richard Dixon, director of WWF Scotland, said: "This is a very significant contribution to reducing Scotland overall emissions and gives the lie to those who claim that renewables do not make a real difference. Meeting Scotland's 100% by 2020 target for renewable electricity will make a huge difference to Scotland's climate change emissions. This is such a huge amount of CO2 that it is equivalent to turning off a whole coal-fired power station."

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Paul Wheelhouse said: "We welcome these figures which show highlight yet again how Scotland is leading the way in tacking climate change. The Scottish Government is committed to maximising opportunities from the transition to a low carbon economy, in fact, we have made this one of the six strategic priorities in the Government Economic Strategy."

Across the UK, nearly 21 million tonnes of CO2 was displaced by electricity generated from renewable energy projects in 2011: 10.63 million tonnes in England and 1.34 million tonnes in Wales.