United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

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Recent data points and their historical trends can be observed below. Click on an indicator name to access the source information. Use the GGKP's data visualization tool to explore the historical data and compare across countries.

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Socio-Economic Context Value Trend
GDP per capita (current US$, 2015) 43734
Population (millions, 2015) 65.1
Population density (people per sq. km of land area, 2015) 269.2
Unemployment (% of total labor force, 2014) 6.3
Gini index (index 0 to 100, 2012) 32.6
Human Development Index (index 0 to 1, 2014) 0.91
Natural Asset Base
Average annual deforestation (% change in forest area, 2015) -0.42
Annual freshwater withdrawals per capita (cubic meters, 2014) 127.1
Agricultural land (% of land area, 2013) 71.3
Terrestrial and marine protected areas (% of total territorial area, 2014) 13.8
Environmental and Resource Productivity
CO2 emissions per capita (metric tons, 2013) 7.13
Carbon productivity (GDP per kg of CO2 emissions, 2013) 5.23
Environmental Quality of Life
Population exposure to air pollution (PM2.5) (micrograms per cubic meter, 2012) 8.68
Access to improved sanitation (% of population, 2015) 99.2
Access to improved water source (% of population, 2015) 100
Access to electricity (% of population, 2012) 100
Policies and economic opportunities
Fossil fuel consumption subsidies N.A.
Environmentally related tax revenue (% GDP, 2014) 2.31
Renewable electricity (% of electricity mix, 2012) 11.4
Wealth Changes
Changes in wealth per capita (US$, 2011) 1490.3

Green Growth National Documents

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The ten point plan for a green industrial revolution

UK Resource Management: A Catalyst for Growth and Productivity

UK Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy: Government and business working together

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Country publications

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Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow: Sovereign wealth funds’ progress on climate change

Dasgupta-Review-on-the-Economics-of-Biodiversity.png

Dasgupta Review on the Economics of Biodiversity (2021) – Business Summary

World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

COVID-19 Response and Recovery: Nature-Based Solutions for People, Planet and Prosperity

Natural Capital Coalition (NCC)
Investing-in-a-Green-Recovery-screenshot.png

Investing in a Green Recovery

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

Going Green: Preparing the UK workforce for the transition to a net-zero economy

Nesta
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Regional publications

Accelerating Zero-Emissions Delivery An innovative approach to transforming the last mile_EDF.JPG

Accelerating Zero-Emissions Delivery: An innovative approach to transforming the last mile

Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Plastics the circular economy and Europe′s environment A priority for action_European Environmental Agency.JPG

Plastics, the circular economy and Europe′s environment: A priority for action

European Environmental Agency
Mapping together A guide to monitoring forest and landscape restoration using Collect Earth mapathons_FAO.JPG

Mapping together: A guide to monitoring forest and landscape restoration using Collect Earth mapathons

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
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Case Studies

UK National Ecosystem Assessment: Economic Values from Ecosystems

UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC)

Public Funding for Public Goods: A Post-Brexit Perspective on Principles for Agricultural Policy

Payment for Ecosystem Services Pilot Project: The Fowey River Improvement Auction

Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) UK
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Projects

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
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Relevant Green Growth Policies

Enabling the Transition to a Green Economy
Sustainable Development Strategy
Energy Act 2013
Low Carbon Transition Plan
Climate Change Act
EU ETS
EU Eco-Innovation Action Plan
7th EU Environment Action Plan
UNFCCC COP 21 NDC Submission

Additional resources for United Kingdom:
UNEPLive
IRENA REsource Country Profile
REN21: Energy Regulation and Policies for Renewables
Reegle Policy and Regulatory Overview
Open EI