The United Kingdom has made progress in decoupling several environmental pressures from economic growth
Policies must be implemented quickly to put the United Kingdom on a net zero path
Protected areas coverage is high but terrestrial areas are in unfavourable condition
Carbon prices vary by sector and fuel
Material productivity and waste treatment have improved
GHG emissions have fallen significantly, especially in the power sector
Policies must be implemented quickly to put the United Kingdom on a net zero path: Past performance against climate objectives and indicative path to net zero
Enforcement in England shifts from prosecution to administrative sanctions
Most green spending related to COVID-19 is on public transport
Net costs of the net zero transition are projected to be small over 2020-50
The United Kingdom has achieved remarkable growth in renewable electricity
Transport investment has increased, especially in rail, but road remains the dominant transport mode
Revenue from environmentally related taxes did not keep pace with GDP
Carbon prices vary by sector and fuel (graph)
Electric vehicles account for a rising but modest share of new car registrations
Support to fossil fuel has decreased
The United Kingdom has the third highest material productivity among OECD countries
Material productivity improved as consumption of fossil energy carriers declined
Construction generates half of the UK’s primary waste, and its volumes of waste increased
Municipal waste generation is lower than the OECD Europe average
Landfilling of municipal waste is lower than the OECD Europe average
Landfilling of municipal waste fell steadily, and incineration rose
Services are the largest source of hazardous waste, with manufacturing second
Public expenditure on waste management fell in the last decade, while public investment grew
UK exports of hazardous waste have increased while imports fluctuated (tonnes)
Exports of recyclable materials rose
In England, combined household composting and recycling rates increased more slowly than in other nations, and rates vary greatly among its local authorities