JERSEY’S greenhouse gas emissions fell sharply in 2020, according to new statistics released in the UK.
The Island was responsible for emitting 356,808 tonnes of greenhouse gas into the atmosphere, down from 418,837 tonnes in 2019, a drop of 15%.
Pandemic lockdowns and self-isolation that year probably contributed to the drop, but Assistant Environment Minister Jess Perchard said the figures were ‘pleasing’ and indicated the Island was well placed to meet its goals under the carbon neutral roadmap, which was approved recently by States Members.
‘This shows that we can make significant lifestyle changes when urgently required,’ Deputy Perchard said. ‘We should take this learning into our future carbon-reduction planning, encouraging workplaces to continue to be flexible regarding carbon-reducing working arrangements as well as encouraging more active travel.’
The Island’s emissions have dropped by almost half (46%) since 1990.
Between 2019 and 2020, emissions associated within the transport sector dropped by almost 50,000 tonnes – from 42% of total emissions to 36%. The report also noted that, despite an increase in at-home working in 2020, domestic emissions did not rise and continue to trend downward.
‘This is, still, just a start and there is no room for complacency,’ Deputy Perchard said. ‘The recently-approved carbon neutral roadmap will ensure we not only continue to move in the right direction but can feel optimistic about our ultimate aim of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change.’
The States recently agreed an initial four-year £23 million delivery plan to tackle climate change, which aims to help the Island become carbon neutral by 2030 and in the longer term to align with global targets of being net-zero by 2050, as set out in the Paris Agreement treaty on climate change.
Emissions inventory statistics are released two years in arrears.
