Carbon emissions cuts in West Midlands mapped: Coventry down the most

Coventry is the council to have improved the most in terms of carbon emissions in West Midlands.

The latest figures available show that the region’s second largest city cut its CO2 emissions per capita by more than 28% in the period between 2005 and 2011, lowering them from 7 tonnes per person to 5 tonnes.

Click to view the interactive map of CO2 reduction per capita in West Midlands from 2005 to 2011.

Councillor Abdul Khan, Labour Cabinet Member for Energy and Environment of Coventry City Council said:

“It’s great news that Coventry remains well ahead of other cities in reducing its carbon footprint. Many factors contributed to these reductions, such as the increasing fuel efficiency of vehicles, smoother flows of traffic, improved insulation in homes meaning less energy needs to be used to keep them warm, as well as firms adopting more energy efficient methods”.

The council is followed by Walsall (-26.47%), Redditch (-25%) and Sandwell (-24%). In 2011 Birmingham cut its carbon emissions by 22.72% compared to 2005, a reduction from 6.6 tonnes per capita to 5.1 tonnes.

Birmingham is ranked 8th, between Worcester (-23.08%, 7th) and Telford and Wreckin (-22,43%, 9th). The less improving is North Warwirckshire, which shows a 4.89% of CO2 emissions reduction.

Coun Abdul Khan also said:

“This not only means we’re using energy more efficiently in our homes, workplaces and how we travel but also that potential investors can see that Coventry is serious about being a sustainable location. Increasingly firms are asking about the sustainability credentials of an area before they relocate”.

Nationally, the target set by the government through the Climate Change Act is to reduce by 2020 greenhouse gases emissions by 34% on a 1990 baseline. In 2012, UK reached 26.6% of reduction. Local figures show just carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, which represent the major presence among greenhouse gases emitted, followed by methane. 

Click on the chart or here to view where your council is ranked in the West Midlands carbon emissions cuts..

Get the data. What can you do with them?

Will we be able to reach our 2020 carbon reduction target? 

How much did your council cut between 2005 and 2011? 

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