GASEOUS EMISSIONS DUE TO ELECTRICITY FUEL CYCLES IN THE UK

In assessing the environmental emissions and consequential damage due to the use of any fuel, it is necessary to consider the whole fuel cycle. This report covers the most important gaseous emissions from the major electricity fuel cycles in the UK. Emissions are identified from each stage of each fuel cycle and related to a unit of electricity delivered to the final consumer. Totals are presented for each fuel cycle. Both acid deposition and global warming are the result of emissions of more than one species. Simple composite indicators are derived for both acid emissions and greenhouse gases. It is concluded that electricity fuel cycles are responsible for the emission of 24% of UK greenhouse gases and 62% of UK acid emissions.