A Tayside environmental group has claimed the recession has driven a drop in greenhouse gas emissions.
Following analysis of the latest UK emissions report, Friends of the Earth Tayside (FoET) has claimed the economic downturn has heavily contributed to a 23% reduction since the 1990s.
Group co-ordinator Andrew Llanwarne said: ”While we acknowledge and welcome the headline reduction in UK greenhouse gas emissions on the 1990 levels, the reduction is largely due to the dash for gas in the 90s and the recession.
”Of course, the figures do not take account of our increasing dependency on imports over this period, so we have exported a lot of our emissions to China and other countries.
”The figures also take no account of international travel and transport either by air or by sea which has increased significantly over this period.”
The Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report (GHG) for the UK showed that England is responsible for 79.9% of GHG emissions, compared with Scotland on 8.9%, Wales on 7.4% and Northern Ireland on 3.8%
Since 1990 GHG emissions have declined by 23.4% in England, 31.1% in Scotland, 22.2% in Wales and 9.6% in Northern Ireland.
Mr Llanwarne said that while less emissions were coming from energy production and manufacturing, output from domestic transport and homes had each gone up by 2%.
He added: ”That is largely due to us, the general public.
”Improving energy efficiency in houses, as well as commercial and industrial premises, is therefore very important in reducing our emissions.
”The UK Government’s new Green Deal scheme brings the opportunity to significantly reduce the use of energy for heating homes, especially the hard-to-heat solid wall houses and flats.
FoET are campaigning for better cycle routes and public transport across the Tayside area to encourage people to get out of their cars.
Mr Llanwarne said: ”In Dundee this should include a bus station fit for the 21st century, with bus and rail services properly integrated to make it easier for the public to make less use of their cars.”