The energy saving figures published by UK authorities are misleading, it is claimed, because they do not take into account imported goods.

As a result of this, energy saving measures taken to reduce the emissions associated with items manufactured within the UK could be misrepresented as no carbon footprint at all is linked with imported products.

Speaking to the BBC, chief scientific adviser to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Professor Robert Watson calls for carbon accounting to be extended to include the emissions produced by the manufacturing process of goods purchased from overseas.

"If you take in carbon embedded in our imports, our emissions have gone up about 12 per cent [since 1990]," he says.

This compares with headline figures showing a 15-16 per cent drop over the same period in the nation's communal carbon footprint.

"We've got to be more open about this," Professor Watson urges.

He took his role at Defra in September 2007, with his remit including working with the government to mitigate the risks and effects of climate change.