Low Carbon: Carbon emissions rise in Halton

In 2007 homes generated 290 kilotons of carbon dioxide - a reduction of 3% from 2006.

Overall, the borough's carbon output had fallen between 2005 and 2006 from 1,728 kilotons to 1,630, but crept back up to 1,643 kilotons in 2007.

Industry and business generated approximately one-third of the borough's emissions, and although they produced 94 kilotons less in 2006 than the previous year, the figure increased to 1,079 kilotons in 2007.

Transport emissions increased by 1.5% to 271 kilotons - which is more than the amount when the current research began in 2005.

The borough's overall emissions output per person was much higher than the UK average. On average, Halton produced 13.8 tons of carbon emissions per person, compared to a UK average of 8.5 tons.

A DECC spokeswoman said although there are no particular targets for local authorities, the data should help them come up with policies specific to their areas.

Environmentalists said the figures show that Government transport policy is flawed.
Frank Kennedy, Friends of the Earth campaigns co-ordinator, said: "This increase shows why we have been arguing that if we build roads and make it easier to drive without providing any alternatives, carbon emissions will increase."

A DECC spokeswoman said: "We're really hoping that the figures will be taken note of."