The latest analysis from epIMS, the EPC and energy efficiency platform developed for landlords, reveals that the UK is Europe’s second largest culprit when it comes to greenhouse gas emissions from residential property despite managing an annual emissions reduction of -7.2%.
epIMS analysed the latest available data (2023) on greenhouse gas emissions from residential property in 30 European nations to see how the level of UK emissions compares to its European counterparts, and which nations have managed the largest annual reduction in the carbon footprint of homes (2022-2023).
The analysis reveals that across 30 European countries, all but five have managed an annual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from residential property.
The five nations to have seen emissions increase are Estonia (+13%), Spain (+5.3%), Norway (+4.2%), Bulgaria (+2.4%), and Cyprus (+0.5%).
LARGEST REDUCTION
Meanwhile, Malta has achieved the largest reduction by far, cutting emissions by -33.8%. This is followed by Austria (-17.7%), the Netherlands (-14.8%), Hungary (-13.4%), and Iceland (-12.1%).
The UK ranks as the 11th most successful nation having cut emissions by -7.2%, marking an admirable carbon footprint reduction.
This performance puts the UK on par with Germany (-7.2%), and ahead of the likes of France (-6.6%), Denmark (-2.2%), and Belgium (-1%).
HIGHEST LEVEL
However, residential property in the UK still emits an estimated 55.3 million tonnes of CO2e each year which is the second highest level across the 30 nations. Only Germany commits emissions at 77m tonnes per annum.
Italy has the third highest emissions (41.1m tonnes), followed by France (32.7m tonnes), Poland (30.3m tonnes), and Spain (16.9 tonnes).
Meanwhile, Iceland (817 tonnes), Malta (42,290 tonnes), Estonia (178,791 tonnes), Sweden (304,283), and Norway (320,161) have the lowest emissions resulting from residential property.
EASY WINS
Craig Cooper, epIMS Chief Operating Officer, says: “The UK’s efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our homes has resulted in an admirable reduction in emissions, but it’s important to note that a good measure of what has been achieved so far has come from the decarbonisation of the electric grid as it switches over to renewable energies – an easy win, you could say.
“Once this initial benefit has been felt, it will be interesting to see whether the initial reduction in our bricks and mortar carbon footprint continues, however, this is unlikely if we don’t look to put in the hard yards with respect to improving the energy efficiency of our homes at base level.
“To that end, the mandatory EPC rating of C for private rented properties that the government is planning to introduce from 2030 should set a strong precedent and help drive continued change, but it’s fair to say that we could be doing more in encouraging such practices across the market as a whole, not just within the private rental sector.”
