There has been a “significant” cut to Wales’ greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to the closure of the blast furnaces at Port Talbot steelworks, according to a new report.

Wales’ 2024 emissions were 8.6% lower than in 2023, taking the overall reduction since 1990 to 44%, according to the UK Climate Change Committee (CCC).

Port Talbot steelworks had been the UK’s biggest single emitter of carbon dioxide, responsible for about 2% of its total emission of planet-heating gases.

The traditional coal-fed furnaces were turned off in July and September 2024 with the loss of 2,000 jobs, and are set to be replaced by a £1.25bn electric arc furnace which will recycle scrap steel.

Nigel Topping, CCC chair, said Wales had seen “a steeper decline” in emissions than the UK as a whole.

This was largely driven by the closure of the Port Talbot blast furnaces ahead of their transition to electrified steel-making, he said.

“Looking ahead, the biggest opportunities for further progress lie in how we use land, heat our buildings, and decarbonise transport.”

“Seizing these opportunities will be critical if Wales is to sustain momentum and continue to play its part in tackling climate change,” he added.

The advisory body published its annual assessment of the UK’s progress in reducing emissions to reach net zero by 2050.

Changes in industry accounted for 74% of the total reduction in greenhouse gases directly emitted from Wales in 2024.

There were also reductions in emissions from electricity and fuel supply, land use and agriculture but these were partially offset by increases from buildings, transport and aviation.

Provisional figures for 2025 show further falls in industrial emissions, bearing in mind that Port Talbot’s blast furnaces were still operational for much of 2024.

The committee said that overall, the temporary closure of Port Talbot was responsible for almost two-thirds of the emissions reduction in industry across the UK between 2023 and 2025.

But it repeated previous criticism over how the changes to steel-making in south Wales were handled, suggesting the Welsh and UK governments should have done more to prepare the area.

Environmentalists have warned the situation at Port Talbot could damage public support for climate action if it is seen to mean job losses and the demise of heavy industry.

The CCC said “a more proactive and decisive transition plan should have been developed to mitigate impacts on the local economy”.

One of its recommendations to both the Welsh and UK governments is to “work with communities, workers and businesses in areas of the economy that may have been adversely impacted by the net zero transition” on plans for new green jobs and opportunities.

The Welsh government said it would work with the UK government on the report’s recommendations but called for further investment from Westminster.

“We recognise the recent fall in emissions reflects significant industrial change, including at Port Talbot, with real impacts on local communities,” a spokesperson said.

“We are working with the Tata Steel Transition Board to deliver £100m of funding to support those affected by the move to electric arc steel-making.”

The spokesperson added more UK government investment was needed in clean energy infrastructure to “support the ongoing transition of Port Talbot and the wider south Wales industrial corridor in order to retain skilled jobs, attract new industries and strengthen the resilience of our communities”.

The UK government said it had committed £2.5 billion of investment, in addition to £700m allocated to Port Talbot, “to rebuild the steel industry for decades to come and ensure a bright and sustainable future for UK steel-making”.

“We have taken decisive action to protect people and businesses in the area to mitigate the impact of the blast furnace closure on the local economy,” a spokesperson added.

“Driving forward with clean, homegrown power is the best route to bring down bills for good, deliver energy security and create jobs.”