In the previous chart, it is hard to see what specifically is causing CO2 emissions. It only shows broad categories. Fortunately that data is available!
The lines reported every year are Portsmouth specific. The lines with less data points are national data. I’ve combined several smaller sources into an “other” category which includes: C. Large Industrial Installations, D. Industrial and Commercial Other Fuels, E. Agriculture, H. Domestic ‘Other Fuels’, L. Diesel Railways, M. Transport Other, N. LULUCF Net Emissions. The chart shows the main contributors.
The main reduction of CO2 emissions is clearly from electricity generation from industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. In fact, domestic gas is almost the number one contributor (and given the data is from 2016 it is likely to be the number 1 by now). The reduction in CO2 from generation is probably due to schemes that reduce demand for electricity and switching to renewable (or less polluting) fuel sources.
What is also evident from the chart is CO2 from transport is roughly constant for all modes of transport. This needs to be brought down quickly in order to achieve climate goals. The main contributor is road traffic, including minor roads, A roads and motorways. We need to tackle our car dependency if we are to get to net zero carbon. The question now is does Portsmouth City Council have a credible plan to tackle emissions from road transport and domestic gas use?