Study Reveals Consumer Carbon Emissions Fall

A new study has revealed how the coronavirus pandemic and restricted spending in the UK helped carbon emissions fall in 2020. Analysis of spending data carried out by the Carbon Trust demonstrated that emissions fell by 4.3 million tonnes of CO2, a drop of 27 per cent compared to 2019. By focusing on six spending categories; food and drink, fuel, commuting, airlines, electronics stores and clothing stores, using data from Lloyds Bank, the study showed that emissions from airlines was down 73 per cent. A reduction in spending on fuel saw emissions drop by 41 per cent. The study also found that though the largest drop in emissions came in April and May, consumer spending was still affecting carbon emissions through the summer, and even August’s carbon emissions were 14 per cent lower than last year. "The changes in spending were driven by a global pandemic not by choice, but our analysis of Lloyds Banking Group customer spending does demonstrate the link between the actions we take in our everyday lives and the impact these have on the level of carbon emissions, a major cause of climate change,” said Myles McCarthy from the Carbon Trust. “We have an opportunity to build on this increased awareness and create the low carbon businesses and infrastructure to help people reduce their impact on the environment." A separate study by Lloyds Bank found that attitudes to shopping have changed and could be helping the environment with 47 per cent of consumers saying they will shop locally more often.