Carbon dioxide emissions rose in the Vale of Glamorgan between 2017 and 2018, according to recently published government figures.

The latest available data shows carbon emissions fell during the same time period in Cardiff and across Wales but rose by 0.3 per cent in the Vale.

Each year the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (DBEIS) measures how much carbon is emitted at a local level across the UK, to track progress in reducing emissions.

Cutting emissions is seen as crucial in preventing global temperatures rising to dangerous levels.

Between 2017 and 2018, carbon emissions fell in 84 per cent of council areas in the UK. They fell by 0.4 per cent in Cardiff and by 5 per cent across Wales. The average across the UK was two per cent.

Neath Port Talbot saw the largest drop of 14 per cent, 'largely due to the steelworks', according to DBEIS.

But emissions rose in the Vale, across every sector measured: industry, domestic and transport. Industry is responsible for most of the emissions in the Vale, while road transport emits the most in Cardiff.

The Vale also emits more per person than in Cardiff and Wales. For every person in the Vale, 8.5 tonnes of carbon are emitted each year. For every person in Wales, 8.2 tonnes are emitted each year, and just 4.5 tonnes in Cardiff.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported in 2018 that net emissions must be reduced to zero in order to limit increases in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees.

The Welsh Government, Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan council all declared a climate emergency last year, committing to net-zero emissions in the public sector by 2030. Net-zero means emissions are offset completely by what carbon is taken in, by trees and wetland for example.

Acting on the declaration, Cardiff council will soon publish a plan on how to decarbonise the city.

The Vale of Glamorgan council was asked to comment about its targets for reducing emissions.

While councils have influence over some types of emissions, they have little over other types.

A Vale of Glamorgan Council spokesperson said: "It is important to note that public sector organisations such as the council are not entirely responsible for carbon emissions and that this data relates to 2018 so does not reflect the current position. The emergence of the coronavirus pandemic in particular since then could well have had a significant positive impact on emission levels in the Vale and elsewhere.

"Clearly, everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment and, after declaring a climate emergency last year, the council has been working with partners on a range of exciting initiatives to help achieve this. These include LED street lighting, a reduction in energy use in buildings and biodiversity schemes.

"We have introduced new policy that requires electric vehicle charging points be provided in new developments and are committed to promoting greener, more sustainable lifestyle choices.

"Our new waste collection policy was introduced in 2018, leading to a huge increase in the quantity of material that is recycled in the Vale and funding has also been secured from Welsh Government to introduce a number of new Active Travel Schemes. These will help to promote walking and cycling as an alternative to travelling by car."

In previous Vale cabinet papers, managing director Rob Thomas explained how the council plans to cut emissions from its own organisation. He said: "Upon declaring the climate emergency, the council has instigated a wide-ranging response.

"The range of ideas include changes in how staff travel, work with partners, business and community groups, reducing waste and how we can influence changes in the behaviour of staff and the wider community.

"Although there is a need to act now and there is potential to introduce some immediate changes, it is also recognised that this will be an ongoing area of work for many years to come."