J1: Carbon footprint and consumer buying choices
Short Description
This indicator tracks the carbon footprint of England’s residents, by showing changes in the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with final demand for goods and services in England. Unlike Indicator A2 which measures emissions on a territorial basis, this indicator includes GHG emissions embedded within goods and services consumed in England wherever these emissions arise across the globe. The indicator will show how consumer preferences and behaviour are impacting on the overall national carbon footprint.
Readiness and links to data
An interim indicator is presented here that shows consumption-based GHG emissions in England. Data underpinning this metric, as well as methodology and accompanying data are available in the UK and England's carbon footprint statistical notice.
The University of Leeds have been developing an index of carbon emissions impacts due to consumer buying choices, further details will be provided here once publicly available.
Indicator components
Figure J1: Consumption based greenhouse gas emissions in England, 2001 to 2021
Table J1: Consumption based greenhouse gas emissions in England, 2001 to 2021
| Year | GHGs embedded in imported goods and services to England | GHGs from England produced goods and services consumed by England's residents | Direct household emissions of GHGs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 274.87 | 311.77 | 133.56 |
| 2002 | 316.35 | 304.64 | 132.87 |
| 2003 | 313.10 | 309.01 | 132.43 |
| 2004 | 363.44 | 308.54 | 135.39 |
| 2005 | 355.76 | 306.82 | 131.50 |
| 2006 | 363.34 | 302.56 | 128.94 |
| 2007 | 378.08 | 300.87 | 126.61 |
| 2008 | 335.22 | 284.70 | 124.36 |
| 2009 | 285.34 | 259.74 | 123.18 |
| 2010 | 282.83 | 261.16 | 130.40 |
| 2011 | 291.49 | 245.30 | 114.84 |
| 2012 | 303.76 | 257.83 | 119.71 |
| 2013 | 300.91 | 248.87 | 122.46 |
| 2014 | 308.93 | 240.50 | 111.47 |
| 2015 | 305.13 | 232.52 | 114.63 |
| 2016 | 269.56 | 198.35 | 117.74 |
| 2017 | 270.75 | 178.11 | 117.44 |
| 2018 | 286.41 | 179.63 | 119.38 |
| 2019 | 283.65 | 176.22 | 115.85 |
| 2020 | 263.44 | 148.91 | 103.38 |
| 2021 | 317.46 | 158.38 | 110.76 |
Trend description for J1
England’s carbon footprint (carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides) was estimated to be equivalent to 587 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO2e) in 2021, a 19% reduction compared to 2001 (720 MtCO2e). GHGs emitted directly by households (which made up 19% of the footprint in 2021) were 17% (22.8 MtCO2e) lower in 2021 than in 2001. Total consumption-based emissions have generally been on a downward trajectory since 2004: the greatest contribution to this trend has come from the goods and services produced in England and consumed here with emissions reducing by 49% (153.4 MtCO2e). Emissions from imported goods and services decreased considerably between 2004 and 2020. However, in 2021, they increased to 317 MtCO2e, which was a 21% increase compared to 2020. The 2021 figure is the largest amount of GHG emissions from this category since the year 2008.
Assessment of change
While the data in figure J1 indicate little or no change over the short term, smoothing is applied across the whole time series in our assessment to account for natural interannual variability. The assessment of this smoothed trend showed an improvement in the total emissions of consumption-based GHGs over the short, medium and long-term time periods. This assessment does not consider whether any improvement is on a sufficient scale for meeting targets.
Change since 2018 has also been assessed, showing an improvement. However, this is based on only 4 data points so should be considered as indicative and not evidence of a clear trend.
Further information on this assessment, along with details on the methodology, is provided in the Assessment background page. Summaries by 25 Year Environment Plan goal and information on indicator links are presented in the Assessment results pages.
Table J1: Assessment of change
| Component | Subcomponent | Period | Date range | Percentage change | Smoothing function | Assessment of change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J1 | Total | Short term | 2016 to 2021 | -10.30 | Loess | Improvement |
| J1 | Total | Medium term | 2011 to 2021 | -18.18 | Loess | Improvement |
| J1 | Total | Long term | 2001 to 2021 | -24.33 | Loess | Improvement |
Note that assessment categories were assigned based on smoothed data, so percentage change figures in Table J1 may differ from unsmoothed values quoted elsewhere. Percentage change refers to the difference seen between the first and last years in the specified date range.