A recent report by the Committee on Climate Change and animation by Carbon Omissions highlights our growing dependence on imported goods.

New research suggests that the UK’s CO2 emissions have actually increased by 10% since 1993 when taking account of the increase in imported goods. Current reporting of the UK’s CO2 emissions ignores emissions associated with imported goods, one of the reasons why our Government is able to report a 19% drop in CO2 emissions since 1993.

The UK construction industry is playing its part in the import story – according to Office of National Statistics data 25% (by value) of all construction products and materials used in the UK are imported. Smith and Wallwork reported on this subject in May 2012, highlighting the concern at the rate of growth in imports.

Image courtesy of Carbon Omissions