Climate committee flags aviation’s emissions rise

The UK Climate Change Committee has urged the government to make it a priority “to ensure aviation takes responsibility for its emissions”, describing increased emissions over the past year a “cause for concern”.

The committee, set up in 2008 to assess progress on climate change and advise ministers, suggested in a report to Parliament that government policies to reduce emissions “have improved since last year”, with ministers having taken “some steps to improve clarity for businesses”.

However, it issued warnings on the impact of rising aviation emissions and government support for airport expansion, noting: “Aviation emissions have risen quickly over the past two years. If this growth continues, it could pose a risk to meeting future targets.”

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The committee reported that a net reduction in overall UK emissions last year “was weakened by an increase in [some] sectors, with emissions from aviation rebounding by 9%, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels”.

Aviation is now among the six highest-emitting sectors in the UK – along with surface transport, industry, electricity supply, residential buildings and agriculture – and the committee warned: “Government may need to take additional demand management measures [in the sector].”

It noted: “The most significant driver since 1990 has been rising demand for international flights, particularly leisure. Aviation emissions now contribute a greater share to the UK emissions total than the electricity supply sector.

“This stands in stark contrast to the situation in 1990, when aviation emissions were 10 times lower than emissions from electricity and close to half their current level.”

The committee warned: “UK emissions targets could be at risk if growth in aviation demand and emissions continues to increase. To mitigate this, the cost of decarbonising aviation and addressing non-CO2 effects should be reflected in the cost to fly. This will help manage growth in aviation demand.”

However, noting “the government has approved and indicated support for several airport expansions in the past year”, the committee called for “robust contingencies” to be in place, “including managing the forecast increase in aviation demand”.

At the same time, the committee called on the government to make electricity cheaper for consumers. Interim chair Professor Piers Forster said: “The government needs to do more to ensure people see the benefits of climate action in bills.”