Environmental group WWF have released a study revealing that carbon dioxide emissions from the UK power sector have soared by 30% since 1999. WWF's report shows that in 2006, UK emissions reached their highest level since 1992.

<p>WWF said that carbon emissions from UK power stations stood at 178 million tons in 2006, a 6% rise over 2005. The report has attributed this increase to a sector-wide return to coal-powered generation, as a result of high gas prices and increasing electricity demand. Coal produces twice as much carbon dioxide as gas per unit when burned. <br /><br />WWF&#0039;s findings have led the group to demand increased support for low-carbon renewable energy sources, as well as more stringent regulations to govern the country&#0039;s emissions. WWF also claimed that the UK government&#0039;s current focus on nuclear attention is distracting it from the real issue. <br /><br />WWF reported that carbon emissions have increased to the extent that they have effectively cancelled out any gains from the so-called &#0039;dash for gas&#0039; that occurred in the 1990s. The environmental group also said that based on the recently increasing levels, it was concerned about the government&#0039;s ability to attain the 2020 target of reducing UK emissions by 26%-32%. <br /><br />Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF-UK, commented: This is a disgrace for Britain, and shows that for the past decade the government has talked a good game on climate change while failing dismally to tackle emissions from this highly polluting sector.<br /><br />Mr Allot chastised the UK energy sector for what he dubbed a &#0039;roll to coal,&#0039; adding: If the government is serious about climate change, the power sector has to be brought to heel, either through incentives or legislation, so that coal burn is dramatically reduced.<br /><br />According to the BBC, the UK government claimed that emissions levels are much lower than those in 1990, but agreed that they have risen in recent years. The government also reportedly said that emissions could be curbed looking forward through new low-carbon incentives.</p>