LONDON, July 18 (UPI) -- The British government said first quarter 2013 greenhouse emissions were higher than the previous quarter but negligible on a relative basis.
The British Department of Energy and Climate Change published its emissions levels for the first quarter of the year. It said total greenhouse emissions increased 1.6 percent from the previous quarter estimate of 571.5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
The DECC in June said colder temperatures in the region resulted in higher energy consumption during the first quarter of 2013.
The department said coal accounted for the bulk of the electricity generated and natural gas accounted for 26 percent, the lowest share in 15 years. The government said the decline in natural gas use was attributed to higher costs.
It attributed the higher level of emissions to higher energy demand from lower average temperatures during the first quarter of 2013.
"Emissions on a temperature adjusted basis, however, showed little change compared with the previous quarter," a report published Wednesday said.
The DECC said the amount of energy generated from renewable resources grew by 10 percent compared to last year, with offshore wind accounting for the lion's share of the growth.
