2009). Although this target does not relate to reductions in the waste sector, it highlights that the UK is currently
making efforts to reduce its GHG emissions and energy recovery from waste can help the UK to address the
climate change issue.
On the other hand, there is a lot of concern about resource use and the ecological impacts of air pollution. Thes
impacts relate mainly to acidification and eutrophication which result from burning fossil fuels and waste from
farm animals. Around one-third of UK land area is sensitive to acid deposition, and one-third to eutrophication
(DEFRA, 2009 (b)). Resource use is affected by the consumption of fossil fuels resources for electricity
generation. Figure 44 illustrates that between 1990 and 2007 electricity consumption rose by 24%, and fossil fuel
used in electricity generation rose by 12%.
Figure 44 Electricity generated, CO2, NOx and SO2 emissions by electricity generators and GDP, 1990 to 2007 (DEFRA, 2009 (c))Indeed, the main energy sources for electricity production in the UK are coal (37%) and gas (36%) while nuclear
power is in third position (18%) as displayed in figure 45.
Figure 45 The UK electricity mix in 2006 (Department of Trade and Industry, 2007)In the Climate Change Act 2008, the UK government has set out the objective of an 80% reduction of carbon
dioxide emissions by about 2050 against a 1990 baseline, with real progress by 2020 (Department of Energy and
Climate Change, 2008). Meeting this target will imply significant improvements in energy efficiency and the
emergence of a more renewable energy. As an example, the Low Carbon Transition Plan sets the objective of
producing 30% of UK electricity from renewables by 2020 (Department of Energy and Climate Change, 2009).
Indeed, electricity suppliers are already obliged to source a growing proportion of the electricity they supply from
renewable sources including waste, confirmed by Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) (DEFRA, 2007).