Select a region
New stats have shown that Jersey has maintained its long-term downward trend in greenhouse gas emissions... So how many tonnes of CO2 is the island emitting per year? How much is that per islander?
The figures for 2021 were released yesterday by the Government, which explained that it was the global norm for annual statistics of this type to be released two years in arrears due to the complexity of the data and the detailed nature of the analysis.
In 2021, Jersey emitted 358,425 tonnes of CO2. This is roughly 3.5 tonnes of CO2 per person.
Most emissions came from the transport sector – 41% overall.
Residential emissions account for a quarter of all emissions, while businesses accounted for 15%.
Pictured: The breakdown by sector.
Agriculture accounted for 6% of CO2 emissions in 2021.
Overall, emissions rose compared to 2020, when they stood at 336,000 tonnes. The Government said the disparity was linked to the slowdown in industry and travel resulting from the covid pandemic.
Between 1990 and 2021, emissions in Jersey decreased by 46%.
Through the UK, Jersey is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and the International Convention on Climate Change.
As a result, the island has agreed to an ambitious emissions reduction trajectory.
This means reducing emissions by 68% by 2030, 78% by 2035 and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Assistant Environment Minister Hilary Jeune, who has responsibility for climate change matters commented, said: “Whilst we’ve seen a small percentage rise in the amount of emissions in 2021 compared with 2020, we’ll need to wait until next year’s inventory to get a true understanding of where we’re at post the peak of the covid pandemic.
“What’s particularly pleasing is that despite the increase in home working, residential emissions continued to fall."
Pictured: Deputy Hilary Jeune is an Assistant Minister who has been delegated responsibility for climate change matters.
She added: “‘Transport remains our largest emitting sector at 41%, and we clearly have continuing work to do in this area to support islanders with the switch away from fossil fuel vehicles.”
Deputy Jeune said the Government’s main focus was on encouraging active travel.
INSIGHT: Measuring Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.