Featured graphic: CO2 equivalent emissions from the UK in 2009, by sector

This information graphic [in colour online] shows the relative quantities of greenhouse gases (represented by carbon dioxide equivalent) produced in the UK during 2009. The area of the circles is proportional to the emissions from each sector. The data source is the UK’s Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). Greenhouse gas production is largely the result of combustion—to produce power, drive vehicles, or create raw materials. The largest producer of CO2 equivalent is currently the energy sector, which is still largely dependant on burning fossil fuels. This is closely followed by transport. The DECC data include UK domestic and military fl ights, but not international ones. In a relatively small country such as the UK, where domestic fl ights are less needed, international fl ights might be expected to contribute a signifi cant amount towards the country’s total emissions. As almost all transport recorded in the DECC data is road use, this subcategory is shown below the others, in more detail. The amount of total greenhouse emissions produced by passenger cars may come as a surprise. Business and residential use is also highly signifi cant. These data seem to suggest that there is no single solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Government policies on renewable energy and waste management can contribute to reductions, but individual people and businesses also have opportunities to reduce emissions, if they can act collectively.