The document outlines 8 key facts about the environment in the UK: 1) UK woodlands provided £2.3 billion in ecosystem services in 2015 such as carbon removal and recreation. 2) A standing tree provides 12 times more value in recreation and pollution removal than if cut down for timber. 3) Greenhouse gas emissions dropped 29% between 1990 and 2015. 4) Diesel use increased 4.4% from 2014-2015 while petrol use decreased 1.4%.

1. 8 Facts about
the Environment

2. The environment contributes to the UK economy,
from the value of our trees to how many people
are employed in low carbon industries.

3. The Office for National Statistics measures that
value, as well as the impact the economy has on
the environment and how society responds to
environment issues.

4. UK woodland provided the equivalent of
£2.3 billion of ecosystem services in 2015*
(ONS estimate four ecosystem services provided by woodland; removal of
carbon, removal of pollution, recreation and provision of timber)
*experimental estimates

5. The value of a tree standing provides around 12
times more in recreational benefit and carbon
and pollution removal, than it would provide if
cut down for timber.

6. There’s been a 29% drop in greenhouse gas
emissions between 1990 and 2015 - the lowest
level since 1990.

7. Between 2014 and 2015, diesel use increased by
4.4%, whereas petrol use decreased by 1.4%.

8. Consumption of renewable and waste sources
reached a record high of 17.4 million tonnes of oil
equivalent (Mtoe) in 2015, 9% of total
energy consumption.

9. In 2016, the low carbon and renewable
energy (LCRE) economy generated
£42.6 billion turnover.

10. In 2016, UK government spent an
estimated £14.4 billion on environmental
protection expenditure (EPE), 1.8% of total
government spend.

11. Just over three-quarters (77.8%) of
government EPE* spend in 2016 was on waste
management activities.
*Environmental Protection Expenditure

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