The 2023 Guernsey Annual Greenhouse Gas Bulletin reveals a continued decline in the island’s emissions, reflecting progress towards sustainability goals.
The latest figures, compiled by Aether Limited for the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory, show a 3.1% reduction in emissions from 2022 to 2023, bringing the total to 283.2 kilotonnes (kt) of CO₂ equivalent. This marks a significant 50.6% decrease from 1990 levels, when emissions stood at 573.3kt.
Key contributors to emissions
Transport remained the largest contributor, accounting for 34.6% of total emissions, followed by industrial combustion (19.6%) and waste (14.9%). Notably, power generation emissions have decreased substantially since Guernsey began importing electricity from France via cable links in 2001, reducing reliance on local fossil fuel combustion.
In 2023, carbon dioxide (CO₂) comprised 76% of total emissions, with the remaining portion consisting of methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases (F-gases). Methane emissions, mainly from waste decomposition and agriculture, accounted for 50.6kt CO₂ equivalent, while F-gases, primarily from refrigeration and air conditioning, saw a notable increase to 8.7kt CO₂ equivalent compared to negligible levels in 1990.
Progress and challenges
The long-term trend shows an overall decline in emissions, driven by improved energy efficiency, cleaner electricity imports, and reduced on-island power generation. However, transport emissions increased by 1.9% from 2022 to 2023, highlighting the ongoing challenge of decarbonising this sector.
Waste emissions also dropped by 6.1% from 2022, reflecting the impact of Guernsey’s waste management strategies. Since the introduction of the Waste Transfer Station in 2019, less waste is sent to landfill, reducing methane output.
Looking ahead
A provisional estimate for 2024 suggests a slight increase in emissions to 288.1kt, though the overall downward trend remains strong. Continued efforts in renewable energy adoption, transport electrification, and waste management improvements will be key to sustaining progress.
