
When using a traditional definition of population density (total population relative to total land area), at 280 people per square kilometre, the UK is third in Europe behind the Netherlands (508) and Belgium (382). The UK is often thought of as one of the most densely populated places in Europe. UK cities are not very dense by international standards But it will mean that cities and large towns will need to become denser to make this happen.
Figure 16: High-emitting industries are not evenly distributed across the countryĠ3Cities need to become denser to achieve net zeroĬities are likely to keep playing a disproportionate role in helping the UK hit its net-zero target, as their density means that they are places in which greater progress can be made in cutting transport and domestic emissions. Box 10: How are carbon budgets calculated?.
Figure 15: Not all cities have the same potential to reach emission cuts. Figure 14: Cities can help achieve a disproportionate share of emissions cuts needed. Progress against the UK’s carbon budgets: how much will cities contribute? Table 4: Retrofitting the housing stock could save up to 40 per cent in carbon emissions. Figure 13: In some cities, more than 70 per cent of the housing stock needs retrofitting. Box 9: Retrofitting the housing stock – the scale of the challenge. Figure 12: Typical new development in Stratford (left) and Croydon (right). Box 8: Increase in density and car use – examples from London. Box 7: Is remote working the solution to cutting carbon emissions?. Box 6: EVs are an important part of the solution, but they should not be seen as the only way to achieve a greener future. Figure 11: Emissions could halve by 2035 if cars only account for a third of all journeys. How a changing approach to development can help achieve net zero Table 2: New houses emit 65 per cent more emissions than new flats. Figure 10: Car ownership levels are much higher in outer London.
Table 1: Car ownership levels are higher in suburbs than in city centres, and higher again in rural areas. Figure 9: Higher density leads to higher active travel usage, resulting in lower transport emissions. Box 4: A example of out-of-town business park development: Newburn Riverside. Figure 8: UK cities are not as dense as many of their European counterparts. Figure 7: Compared to other European countries, the UK is not very dense. Figure 6: Carbon emissions per head vary between citiesĬities need to become denser to achieve net zero. Figure 5: Detached houses emit more than twice as much carbon than flats. POPULATION DENSITY DEFINITION DRIVERS
Box 3: What are the main drivers of domestic emissions?.Figure 4: Telford’s built-up area is 61 per cent larger than Oxford’s.
Figure 3: Private cars emit three times more carbon than shared modes of transport. Box 2: What are the main drivers of transport emissions?. Figure 2: Cities have a lower carbon footprint across all three sectors. Figure 1: UK greenhouse gas emissions have halved since 1990. Why cities will need to play a central role in the net zero agenda