Greenhouse gas emissions fall in 2006

LONDON (Reuters) - Emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases fell 0.5 percent in 2006, final estimates showed on Thursday, an output equivalent to 652.3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The final 2006 figures revised initial estimates published last March which had showed a slight increase in emissions.

Emissions of the commonest man-made greenhouse gas carbon dioxide were down slightly at 554.5 million tonnes compared to 555.2 million tonnes in 2005.

The total 2006 greenhouse gas emissions estimate fell to 618.5 million tonnes if calculated net of carbon offsets that British companies bought from overseas to help them meet carbon limits imposed under the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme.

The government is introducing a Climate Change Bill which includes legally binding targets to cut climate-warming carbon emissions by 26-32 percent by 2025 and 60 percent by 2050.