The cost-of-living crisis and high energy prices have led to a fall in greenhouse gas emissions in Glasgow.

A report on improving air quality in the city found that a reduction in domestic energy use was the biggest driver in 2022.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the world coming out of lockdown energy prices started to rise as demand increased once again.

As prices rocketed, people in Glasgow began to use their heating and electricity less meaning lower carbon emissions.

The report found this was the biggest causes of lower emissions leading to improved C02 emissions in Glasgow

The report stated: “Domestic emissions account for a significant proportion of the emissions reductions (69% of total emissions reductions) as rapidly rising energy costs were experienced by residents.”

The study found in 2020 there was a 13.3% drop in emission as Glasgow went into lockdown with fewer transport on the road showing a 20% drop in road related emissions.

The following year however there was a “bounce back” rise of 12.8% going back to expected levels.

In 2022 there was a 6.6% fall and a 45% fall from the baseline of 2006.

George Gillespie, director of neighbourhoods at Glasgow City Council said: “This report outlines that one of the primary drivers in emissions reductions witnessed in 2022 was the onset of the energy crisis which drove up energy prices across the nation and resulted in reduced consumption, particularly in consumption of gas.”

The next highest reduction was in commercial emissions at 7%, industrial emissions dropped by 6.2% and public sector emissions fell by 3%.

Mr Gillespie said: “The smaller drop seen in all other sectors in comparison to the domestic sector may be a result of non-domestic organisations having longer-term fixed-price contracts, reduced flexibility of the non-domestic sector to reduce consumption due to minimum operational or service requirements or higher energy requirements.”

The report found an average annual reduction of 3.51% and Glasgow is capable of meeting net zero targets by the end of the decade.

It states: “If this average was to be maintained until 2030, Glasgow’s emissions would have reduced by 73.81% from baseline.

“Our understanding of whether maintaining this rate of reduction will be sufficient to achieve a net zero position by 2030 is being developed through the production of our Net Zero Routemap, which will be brought to this committee in November.

“However, ahead of finalising the Routemap, it is fair to assume that we will need to increase and maintain the annual average pace considerably.

 Mr Gillespie, concluded: “The local context of the energy crisis was that Glasgow was a city recovering from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic whilst entering a cost-of-living crisis.

“However, the primary catalyst of the energy crisis was the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022.”