A study has identified Reading as the UK's worst offending town for carbon dioxide emissions, with the average household there emitting the same amount of carbon dioxide as flying 13,000 miles by Boeing 747 each year. This is 27% above average. Leicester and Bradford were not far behind, while Hull, Southampton and Plymouth had the lowest emissions. The report suggests that the size of properties in the south east and its "vibrant economy" has led to higher levels of gas, electricity and oil being used during the day and that such residents are less frugal with their energy. In a direct contrast to Reading, homes in Hull produce on average 40% less carbon dioxide and consume gas and electric at well below the UK average. Ben Tuxworth of the environment charity Forum for the Future said this report "comes as a wake up call to those who think reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a luxury for the wealthy."
In other climate change news, the European Commission has questioned the effectiveness of the EU emissions trading scheme, which is supposed to be the cornerstone of their climate change policy. Under the scheme, Governments can set quotas for the carbon dioxide emissions they produce, and permits are issued to provide firms with financial incentives to invest in clean technology and cut emissions. These permits make the right to pollute a tradeable commodity, with companies able to buy and sell permission to emit extra carbon dioxide. Reports have shown that 44.2 million metric tons more carbon dioxide permits were produced by the 21 Member States than was needed. The UK did manage to keep a tight rein on the permits they issued, but their quota for 2005 was still exceeded.
