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UK fossil fuel imports at record high UK fossil fuel imports at record high
(3 months later)
Fossil fuel imports rose by a tenth in 2011 to their highest level recorded by official statistics, it has been revealed.Fossil fuel imports rose by a tenth in 2011 to their highest level recorded by official statistics, it has been revealed.
Imports of oil, gas and coal increased almost 10% from 2010 to 2011, to 162.5m tonnes, while domestic extraction of fossil fuels fell to the lowest levels since records began in 1990, according to Office for National Statistics data.Imports of oil, gas and coal increased almost 10% from 2010 to 2011, to 162.5m tonnes, while domestic extraction of fossil fuels fell to the lowest levels since records began in 1990, according to Office for National Statistics data.
Exports of fossil fuels also declined in 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available.Exports of fossil fuels also declined in 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available.
Energy from waste and renewables – including landfill gases, incinerating domestic rubbish, wind farms and biofuels in cars – increased in 2011 and now makes up 4% of total energy use, the environmental accounts from the ONS showed.Energy from waste and renewables – including landfill gases, incinerating domestic rubbish, wind farms and biofuels in cars – increased in 2011 and now makes up 4% of total energy use, the environmental accounts from the ONS showed.
The government has committed to European targets which mean the UK has to source 15% of all its energy from renewable sources by 2020.The government has committed to European targets which mean the UK has to source 15% of all its energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Figures show that the rise in fossil fuel imports came as total energy consumption dropped to 213m tonnes, the lowest levels in the record, with warm weather reducing use of natural gas for heating.Figures show that the rise in fossil fuel imports came as total energy consumption dropped to 213m tonnes, the lowest levels in the record, with warm weather reducing use of natural gas for heating.
The increase also comes despite government efforts to maximise domestic energy production, with tax breaks and support for a range of technologies and resources from North Sea fossil fuels to offshore wind.The increase also comes despite government efforts to maximise domestic energy production, with tax breaks and support for a range of technologies and resources from North Sea fossil fuels to offshore wind.
Ministers hope that shale gas, which is extracted through the controversial fracking process, will boost domestic gas supplies – but it is opposed by environmental groups and residents in areas where extraction will take place.Ministers hope that shale gas, which is extracted through the controversial fracking process, will boost domestic gas supplies – but it is opposed by environmental groups and residents in areas where extraction will take place.
The environmental accounts figures, which sit alongside national accounts, also reveal that taxpayers paid £44.5bn in "environmental taxes", including fuel duty, air passenger duty on flights and car taxes.The environmental accounts figures, which sit alongside national accounts, also reveal that taxpayers paid £44.5bn in "environmental taxes", including fuel duty, air passenger duty on flights and car taxes.
The figure is an increase of £200m on 2010's figures, and equivalent to almost 3% of GDP.The figure is an increase of £200m on 2010's figures, and equivalent to almost 3% of GDP.
But government spending on environmental protection fell in 2011, down £500m to £12.9bn, with cash for research and development, wildlife and landscape conservation, water management and pollution prevention all falling.But government spending on environmental protection fell in 2011, down £500m to £12.9bn, with cash for research and development, wildlife and landscape conservation, water management and pollution prevention all falling.
Greenhouse gas emissions in 2011 fell to record lows, 21% down on 1990 levels, largely due to warm weather reducing the use of gas – but more recent data has revealed that emissions rose again by 3.5% in 2012, due to a colder winter and more use of coal for electricity.Greenhouse gas emissions in 2011 fell to record lows, 21% down on 1990 levels, largely due to warm weather reducing the use of gas – but more recent data has revealed that emissions rose again by 3.5% in 2012, due to a colder winter and more use of coal for electricity.
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