Why do we estimate?

• Introduction
• UNECE CLTRAP & EMEP
• UNFCCC
• NECR

The estimates calculated by the national atmospheric emission inventory help to provide a picture of the important sources and trends in emissions and removals and to focus action to improve our local national and global environment.

This data is used for a number of purposes including the provision of information to track the UK's progress towards international commitments on greenhouse gases (climate change) and harmful air pollutants (air pollution). 

As part of its international commitments the UK reports:

• Estimates of greenhouse gases to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and until 2022, to the European Union EU Monitoring Mechanism Regulation (MMR).
• Estimates of UK air pollutant emissions to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (UNECE & EMEP) and National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECR).

The neighbouring tabs in this section provide some background on each of the UK's reporting commitments with links to the data submitted under each.

Under the Paris Agreement, the UK submitted a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), including a target to reduce economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions by at least 68% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels. Under this agreement, from 2024, the UK is required to report progress towards the NDC targets each year.

Get data

Detailed data used for the UK GHG estimates can be downloaded from the data page GHG data (XLSX).

Detailed data used for the UK NECR estimates can also be downloaded from the data page Air Quality data (XLSX).

Page last modified: 04 September 2023