Lewisham has the second lowest CO2 emissions per capita out of all local authorities in the UK, latest statistics reveal.

Emissions per capita allow comparison between areas of different population size.

Hackney had the lowest CO2 emissions per capita at 2.3 tonnes for 2017, with Lewisham a close second with 2.4 tonnes of CO2 per capita.

The authority was tied for second place with Harrow and Waltham Forest.

The figures reflect a wider trend of reducing CO2 emissions per capita across London, driven by a decrease in the use of coal for electricity generation, according to analysis.

Greater London has the lowest per capita emissions out of all regions in the UK, down to its higher density of residents and fewer industrial bases.

Regions like Yorkshire and the Humber, as well as Wales and Northern Ireland have the highest emissions per capita, mainly due to emissions from the industrial and commercial sector.

Mayor Damien Egan said he was glad Lewisham has a low carbon footprint, but there was more work to do.

The authority, which declared a climate emergency in February, has adopted a target to be carbon neutral by 2030.

“I am very pleased to see that the latest figures show Lewisham has one of the lowest carbon footprints in the country. However, with an ambitious target to be carbon neutral by 2030 we are determined to go even further,” he said.

“We are currently developing a strategy to reach this 2030 target. As part of our Climate Emergency declaration, we are working on a range of initiatives to reduce carbon emissions such as maximising energy efficiency in all council buildings and new developments; developing a district heat network; establishing a carbon offset fund; delivering a fuel poverty advice service and reducing carbon emissions through improved infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and low emission vehicles”.

A climate emergency action plan will be going to the mayor and cabinet in March next year.