The UK produced total greenhouse emissions equivalent to 658.10 million tonnes of CO2 last year. This was down about 15% from the 1990 figure of 775.20 million tonnes.

Carbon dioxide output rose from 544.2 million tonnes in 2005 to 560.6 million tonnes in 2006, a significant rise compared to previous years. CO2 output is now only 5.25% below the 1990 figure which is used as the baseline for the main Kyoto Protocol gases.

Emissions of all greenhouse gases in the Kyoto deal were up about 0.5%, but are still below the target of a 12.5% cut from 1990 by the period 2008-2012.

“While these figures are provisional, they underline why concerted effort to tackle climate change, both from government and wider society, is absolutely critical,” Miliband said.