The sharp fall in UK greenhouse gas emissions of 8.6 per cent seen in 2009 is almost entirely due to the recession, and the proportion of the drop due to actual climate policies is but "a fraction" of the total. The (UK) Committee on Climate Change warns that when the economy recovers, the rate of reduction due will not be adequate to achieve the 34 per cent reduction in CO2 (on 1990 levels) by 2020, to which the Government is already committed – let alone the 42 per cent reduction to which Britain will move if a tougher target can be agreed with the rest of the EU.

For more information read http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/emission-cuts-threatened-by-economic-recovery-2014118.html

and http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01545/ccs17_1545156c.jpg