In 2008, the total CO₂ emissions in the manufacturing sector were equivalent to 140 million tonnes of carbon. This was a 10 per cent decrease in CO₂ emissions in UK manufacturing sectors from 2000. 

Why is this important – in 2008, UK manufacturing sectors accounted for approximately 23 per cent of UK producer carbon dioxide emissions.

• The chemicals sector performed better than the others with a 19 per cent reduction in CO₂ emissions respectively between 2000 and 2008.  Gross Value Added (GVA) for this sector has increased by 28 per cent in the same period.
•  Pulp, paper, publishing, and printing, rubber and plastics were the two sub-groups included in this analysis where emissions increased between 2000 and 2008. The overall increases for these sub-groups were 17 per cent and 9 per cent respectively.  In contrast, GVA in these sub-sectors actually decreased between 2000 and 2008:  GVA for pulp paper, printing and publishing decreased by 9 per cent and for rubber and plastic by 10 per cent.

Data download

The key facts publication contains a downloadable version of this page
Sustainable Consumption and Production Indicators
Government policy on Green economy, green business
Office for National Statistics