Carbon Footprint Breakdown

These are sometimes referred to “consumption emissions”. Scotland’s carbon footprint is associated with the spending of Scottish residents on goods and services, wherever in the world these emissions arise along the supply chain, and those which are directly generated by Scottish households through private motoring and heating. The purpose of this dataset is to find out what effect Scottish consumption has on greenhouse gas emissions, by taking into account where the goods we buy come from and their associated supply chains. These figures are different to territorial emissions which are presented within the “Scottish Greenhouse Gas Emissions” dataset. The carbon footprint refers to greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with the spending of Scottish residents on goods and services, wherever in the world these emissions arise along the supply chain, and those which are directly generated by Scottish households; for example, through heating and private motoring. Scotland's Carbon Footprint has been calculated in 4 steps: Step 1. Develop an Input-output (IO) model; Step 2. Develop a Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model; Step 3. Develop UK Based MRIO Model; Step 4. Develop the Scottish Consumption Based Account (the Scottish Carbon Footprint). The carbon footprint is not calculated in the same way as Scotland's greenhouse gas emissions, which occur within a country's borders.

Data and Resources

Additional Info

Field Value
Author Scottish Government
Maintainer Scottish Government
Last Updated May 29, 2025, 09:44 (UTC)
Created May 29, 2025, 09:44 (UTC)
Accessibility and Clarity These statistics are published in the Carbon Footprint Official Statistics publication. The data are published in Excel format and is also available as a PDF with accompanying commentary.
Accuracy and Reliability Scotland's Carbon Footprint has been calculated in 4 steps: Step 1. Develop an Input-output (IO) model; Step 2. Develop a Multi-Regional Input-Output (MRIO) model; Step 3. Develop UK Based MRIO Model; Step 4. Develop the Scottish Consumption Based Account (the Scottish Carbon Footprint).
Coherence and Comparability The figures are comparable to the UK Carbon Footprint release but totals for other countries are not comparable, due to on-going international developments in methodology.
Confidentiality Policy These figures are compiled in line with the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. A restricted number of people are granted pre-release access for quality assurance and for briefing of these statistics.
Quality Management Members of the Sustainability Research Institute (SRI) at Leeds University have compiled the figures and improved the methodology used in the Scottish Carbon Footprint statistics release.
Relevance A reduction in the carbon footprint Scotland is an indicator of more sustainable consumption behaviour from both individuals and businesses.
Revisions Methodological changes were made to the UKMRIO between each release.
Timeliness and Punctuality The data are published on an annual basis around 3 years after the reference period.
headline Greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with the consumption by Scottish residents on goods and services and by private heating and motoring