Public Sector
The public sector was responsible for around 2% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. However, this only represents emissions from public sector buildings, and does not include those from other public sector activities, such as waste collection or bus services for example. Those would be included in other sectors, such as business or transport.
Between 1990 and 2014, there was a steady decrease in public sector emissions, with an overall decrease of around 42%. This was largely driven by reductions in the use of oil and natural gas.
Since 2014, however, there has been very little change in emissions from this sector.
Additional end-user emissions, re-allocated from the energy supply sector, effectively represent electricity consumption in public sector buildings. These emissions have gradually decreased since 1990 in line with the decrease in emissions from the energy supply sector, as that sector has decarbonised.
Between 1990 and 2014, there was a steady decrease in public sector emissions, with an overall decrease of around 42%. This was largely driven by reductions in the use of oil and natural gas.
Since 2014, however, there has been very little change in emissions from this sector.
Additional end-user emissions, re-allocated from the energy supply sector, effectively represent electricity consumption in public sector buildings. These emissions have gradually decreased since 1990 in line with the decrease in emissions from the energy supply sector, as that sector has decarbonised.
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What needs to be done to reach net-zero?
These emissions are from public sector buildings, so the necessary action will essentially be the same as for buildings in the residential and business sectors. That means reducing reliance on fossil fuels by making buildings more energy efficient, and switching to renewable sources for power and heating. That could be solar PV for electricity or heat pumps for heat.
These emissions are from public sector buildings, so the necessary action will essentially be the same as for buildings in the residential and business sectors. That means reducing reliance on fossil fuels by making buildings more energy efficient, and switching to renewable sources for power and heating. That could be solar PV for electricity or heat pumps for heat.
