Carbon emissions in Wales, UK, are among the highest in the world, latest official figures show.

The province ranks 13th in an international league table of the worst emitters of carbon dioxide the greenhouse gas that contributes most to climate change.

At 15.57 tonnes per person in 2006, which is the most recent year for which detailed statistics are available, Wales’ carbon dioxide emissions are significantly higher than in all three other UK nations.

Northern Ireland produced emissions at the rate of 10.17 tonnes per person, with Scotland at 10.02 tonnes and England 9.26 tonnes, the data released by the National Assembly reveals.

One of Wales’ most prominent environmentalists last night said the figures indicated the extent of the challenge facing Wales.

The report includes a survey of the latest scientific thinking on climate change and says the average temperature in Wales is now 1.33 degrees higher than in 1961, said Martin Shipton, reporting for Western Mail

Gordon James, director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, said: “The abundant political rhetoric we’ve had on the subject must be replaced by courageous action that will bring about big reductions in emissions in the near future.”

The Assembly Government has committed itself to 3% year-on- year reductions in carbon emissions from 2011, but a detailed strategy will not be published until the end of this year.

The paper published by the Members’ Research Service at the National Assembly suggests the higher CO˛ emission levels in Wales reflect both the high rate of fossil fuel electricity generation and the nation’s relative poverty.