Watford's carbon dioxide emissions have plummeted over the last decade but campaigners have warned the Government still needs to do far more.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy figures show that CO2 emissions in the area dropped by 5.6 per cent in 2019 – the latest available data – compared to the year before.

The domestic sector was responsible for emitting the most in Watford – 125,000 tonnes – but emissions from the sector dropped by 28.7 per cent over a decade.

Between 2009 and 2019, overall emissions in Watford dropped by 34.9 per cent.

A big reason is a change in fuel mix for electricity generation, greater use of renewables and a drop in the use of coal, according to BEIS.

But the Zero Carbon campaign said major policy changes were still needed to tackle the climate crisis.

A spokesman said: "To reach net zero emissions by 2050 we need to decarbonise much further, faster and across a far greater section of our economy."

Friends of the Earth added local authorities do not have the resources to decarbonise some of the most polluting sectors such as housing and transport due to budget cuts.

"Over 200 councils have declared climate and ecological emergencies, so the enormity of the climate crisis has clearly cut through at the local level," said Mike Childs, head of science.

"Proper support and investment from central Government must now follow."

But a BEIS spokesman said the national the figures were "hugely encouraging".

"The UK was the first major world economy to commit to ending our contribution towards climate change by 2050 and we continue to make great strides towards that target thanks to the continual effort and dedication of the local authorities."