The UK emitted 564.6 million metric tons (Mmt) of energy-related Carbon dioxide in 2003. The country is one of only four Western European countries to achieve a drop in carbon dioxide emissions since 1990. While carbon dioxide emissions have declined, total energy consumption has increased over the same period by 11.2 percent, reaching 9.8 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2003. The UK has ratified the Kyoto Protocol; however, the EU has decided to meet its requirements under the Protocol as a whole, rather than as individual signatories, with each member state given a different emissions target by the EU Commission. Under the EU plan, the UK must reduce its carbon dioxide emissions by 12.5 percent below the 1990 level during the 2008-2012 commitment periods; the country was 8 percent above this target during 2003.
The UK has seen dramatic improvements in air quality in recent decades, especially reductions in sulfur dioxide emissions: The principle driving force behind these reductions has been the transition away from Coal-fired power plants, the drastic reduction in the use of coal for residential heating, and general economic shift from an industry-focused to service-based economy. In 2001, the UK government introduced the Climate Change Levy, a surcharge on energy produced from carbon dioxide-emitting sources charged to commercial and industrial energy users. By exempting renewable energy sources and co-generation facilities, the Levy has encouraged large energy consumers to increase conservation measures.