The Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) publishes annual estimates of end-user greenhouse gas emissions for local authority areas in the UK. The release covers emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) and the latest edition was published on 27 June 2024 and includes statistics for 2005 to 2022.
These local estimates do not include emissions from aviation, shipping and military transport, as these have no obvious basis for allocation to local areas. Emissions of fluorinated gases are also excluded. These accounted for about 2% of UK emissions in 2022, but suitable datasets are not available to estimate these emissions at a local level.
North East emissions in 2022
9,098 Kt
North East total emissions
Measured in CO2e
(carbon dioxide equivalent)
82%
carbon dioxide emissions
14% methane (CH4)
4% nitrous oxide (N2O)
60%
domestic and transport sectors
13% industry sector
11% agriculture
16% other
(commercial, waste, public)
49%
County Durham and Northumberland
27% Newcastle and Sunderland
24% elsewhere
(Gateshead, N & S Tyneside)
The following charts provide breakdowns of the latest North East emissions total by combinations of gas, sector and local authority area. The LULUCF sector provides negative emissions within the North East, reflecting the impact of forestry in the area and, particularly, within Northumberland.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025) Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025) Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ), latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source:UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
The first two charts show the net change in North East emissions in the latest year, highlighting a decrease after the previous year's post-Covid increase. The third and fourth charts show the changes since the immediate pre-Covid year of 2019:
North East emissions, change in latest year by sector
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update: 27 Jun 2024 (2022 data), next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update: 27 Jun 2024 (2022 data), next update: summer 2025 Data information: Local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update: 27 Jun 2024 (2022 data), next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update: 27 Jun 2024 (2022 data), next update: summer 2025 Data information: Local authority level statistics. Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
2005 to 2022: -77%
waste sector: -74%
commercial: -61%
smaller fall in agriculture emissions
2005 to 2022: -16%
transport sector: -22%
domestic sector: -48%
-69%
Northumberland's emissions
other North East areas:
changes since 2005 ranged
from -44% to -54%
The following charts present time series of North East emissions from 2005 onwards. Three of them show total emissions in the area broken down into gases, sectors and local authority areas. The other two charts compare trends since 2005 for North East sectors and local authority areas by using indices, based on each initial total in the time series being converted to 100.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025)
Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics
Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025) Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics.
Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent.
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025). Analysis by North East CA. Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF data excluded (land use, land use change and forestry).
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025) Data information: Local authority level statistics Kt CO2e: Kilotonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) (latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025). Analysis by North East CA Data information: Local authority level statistics.
Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
North East emissions rate,
in 2022. Lower than the
England rate (5.09)
5.54
Northumberland rate
North East's highest,
2nd: County Durham (4.98)
lowest: South Tyneside (3.13)
domestic sector share higher in N.E.
29% of total, Eng. 24%,
also true for agriculture:
North East 11%, Eng. 10%
industry sector share lower in N.E.
North East 13%, Eng. 15%,
also true for transport:
North East 31%, Eng. 33%
The following charts compare the latest North East emissions per head rates and sector shares of emissions with the equivalents in other areas. The comparison areas include England; the other combined authority (CA) areas in the north and midlands; and the North East's seven local authority areas. Emissions per head rates are based on the resident population of an area but high rates in some areas can be impacted by high levels of in-commuting or travel by non-residents:
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update: 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. t CO2e: tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level. The emissions rate is based on residential population but emissions can be produced by non-residents working or travelling within an area. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. t CO2e: tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. This includes both positive and negative emissions, with the latter due, for example, to the removal of emissions by forestry.
The emissions rate is based on residential population but emissions can be produced by non-residents working or travelling within an area. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Percentage calculations exclude emissions due to LULUCF (land use, land use change and forestry), which provides a net removal of greenhouse gases in the North East. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
2021 to 2022:
N.E. -4.4%, Eng. -5.5%
2019 to 2022:
N.E. -10.0%, Eng. -10.6%
larger long-term decreases
2005 to 2022:
N.E. -54%, Eng. -43%
second highest decrease
among comparable areas
larger % decreases in all sectors
2005 to 2022
North East
compared to England
-2.3 tonnes p.h.
N.E. industry emissions
2005 to 2022
39% of total p.h. decrease
Eng. -1.3 tonne p.h.
The six charts in the carousel below compare changes in emissions over time for the North East, England, English combined authority areas and North East local authority areas. The first two charts compare percentage changes in the latest year and the period since the immediate pre-Covid year of 2019. The remaining charts compare changes since 2005. They highlight percentage changes, including by sector, with the final chart highlighting changes per head by sector, which illustrates the impact of falling industry emissions on the total North East change.
Emissions, % change in latest year, geographical comparisons
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025. Analysis by North East CA. Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level. Geography: North East combined authority (CA) area, national comparisons, North East local authority areas, CA areas in the North and Midlands with London and West of England for comparisons.
Note:The North East and East and West Midlands CA areas differ from the larger statistical regions of the same name. The West of England LEP area is more consistent with other CA areas than the smaller CA area of the same name.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025. Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Excluding LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry.
Source: UK local authority and regional greenhouse gas emissions statistics (DESNZ) latest update (2022 data): 27 Jun 2024, next update: summer 2025 Data information: Combined authority (CA) level data based on sums of local authority level statistics. t CO2e: tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent. Greenhouse gases in this dataset exclude fluorinated gases which are responsible for around 2% of total UK emissions but are not measured at a sub-national level.
Excluding LULUCF: Land use, land use change and forestry. The emissions rate is based on residential population but emissions can be produced by non-residents working or travelling within an area.
