DIRTY gas emissions now exceed cleaner emissions from electricity in the district.

That is the conclusion from an annual report by Dr Bob Whitmarsh for local charity, Winchester Action on Climate Change (WinACC).

The district’s total energy consumption has steadily increased since 2013 with carbon emissions on the rise.

Locally, the biggest source of carbon is cars, vans and lorries. Between 2005 and 2018 the number of vans has increased by 55 per cent.

Jock Macdonald, chairman of WinACC, said: “Winchester district clearly needs to cut its carbon emissions to meet the UK target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and here at WinACC we are acutely aware of how challenging this will be.

"We all need to cut our carbon footprint substantially and there is no time to waste. Everyone can contribute and play their part, choosing to walk and cycle wherever possible, and otherwise use public transport. We urge the Government and our Councils to work with the people who live here to provide the physical infrastructure and laws to make this transition possible.

“In addition, many of the homes and offices in Winchester district are poorly insulated, causing them to use far more energy for heating or cooling than they should otherwise do. Whilst we welcome the Government’s Green Homes Scheme to insulate homes and offices they need to go much further than currently suggested to have any real impact before it’s too late.”

This is the first time emissions from electricity has dropped lower than emissions from gas since records began in 2005.

When compared with 188 other non-metropolitan, English local authorities, Winchester District is ranked in the worse performing half for improving its emissions.

In his report, Dr Whitmarsh said: "The number of cars on our roads has also increased, so couple this with the increase in the number of people living in the district who drive SUVs, which have a carbon footprint almost five times greater than the average Winchester citizen, and that’s before they’ve even left the showroom, then the climate impact of road traffic is clear.

"Scientists of the Tyndall Centre have assigned a fixed carbon budget to the district, on the basis of global evidence and fairness, which means the district should reach zero carbon by 2041.

"However, at the current rate of emissions this budget will be consumed within seven years."