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Energy |
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| Objective
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions resulting from our use of energy through improving
energy efficiency, minimising waste and increasing the exploitation of renewable
sources of energy. |
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| Context
Energy is central to our everyday lives. We take it for granted that electricity is available to light our homes and offices, and to power our fridges, televisions and computers. Likewise we use petrol and diesel in our cars and gas for cooking and heating. Energy simply enables us to carry out our normal activities.
The energy we use has many environmental impacts. Exploration, extraction, refinement, transportation, storage, conversion and distribution, as well as how efficiently the energy is used, and how any waste is disposed of, significantly influence these environmental impacts. When fossil fuels are used to generate energy, greenhouse gases are released. These are a major contributor to climate change.
In 2002, the UK’s primary energy (before transformation into e.g. electricity or petrol) came from the sources set out below. |
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Figure 3. UK Primary Energy Sources 2002
(source: Energy White Paper 2003) |
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