UK government greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors

Key findings

• An average petrol car emits roughly 0.17 kg CO₂e per kilometre driven, on a well-to-wheel basis.
• A short-haul return flight in economy is on the order of 300 kg CO₂e per passenger including radiative forcing.

Record

Source type

Government Statistics

Study type

Not Applicable

Topics

Climate & emissions

Geography

United Kingdom

Funding & conflicts

Not recorded.

Source quality

Strong evidenceOfficial factors, updated annually and used for statutory company reporting.

Limitations

• Fleet averages for the United Kingdom. A specific car, a fuller car or a different country's fleet will differ substantially.
• Aviation figures depend heavily on whether radiative forcing is included and on the route and load factor.

Statistics we use from this source

• 0.17kg CO₂e per kmEmissions from driving an average petrol car
• 300kg CO₂e per passengerEmissions from one economy return short-haul flight