The provided bar chart delineates the volume of carbon emissions generated by three distinct fossil fuels – gas, oil, and coal – in the United Kingdom over a two-decade period commencing in 1990.
Overall, carbon emissions from all three fossil fuels remained largely stable throughout the period, with only a temporary change in 1995. Coal consistently recorded the highest level of emissions, followed by oil, while gas remained the lowest contributor.
In 1990, coal was the most significant polluter among the three, emitting approximately 315 million tons of carbon. Oil followed as the second-largest contributor, producing roughly 270 million tons. In contrast, gas was the least polluting fuel at the start of the period, responsible for a comparatively lower figure of around 220 million tons.
Over the subsequent years, 1995 marked the only notable deviation from the overall pattern. Gas emissions temporarily increased to approximately 320 million tons before returning to around 220 million tons in 2000 and remaining at this level thereafter. Conversely, coal emissions fell sharply to about 190 million tons in 1995 before recovering to roughly 315 million tons for the rest of the period. Meanwhile, oil emissions declined slightly to around 240 million tons in 1995, before returning to approximately 270 million tons from 2000 onwards.