The final estimates for 2010 showed that greenhouse gas output rose by more than 3 per cent, largely due to an increase in gas use for heating homes in the face of cold weather at the beginning and the end of the year.

Emissions from the residential sector rose by almost 15 per cent from 2009, the statistics from the Department of Energy and Climate Change showed.

The rise in emissions was also driven in part by switching away from nuclear to coal and gas for generating electricity.

Friends of the Earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "The rise in fossil fuel use is bad news for the planet and cash-strapped families struggling to cope with the rocketing cost of gas and coal.

"Switching to clean British power and slashing energy waste is the only way to cut fuel bills, reduce emissions and safeguard energy supplies in the future - this must be a top priority for the new Energy Secretary, Ed Davey."