UK Government's Jet Zero Strategy Faces Scrutiny Over Aviation Emission Risks
The Environmental Audit Committee has expressed concerns over the UK Government's Jet Zero Strategy, pointing out significant risks that may hinder its effectiveness in curbing the rising emissions from the aviation sector, in a report released yesterday.
The Committee welcomes the various initiatives proposed, including sustainable aviation fuels and zero-carbon aircraft, but highlights potential challenges in implementation.
Emissions from the aviation sector pose a significant challenge to decarbonization efforts, with the Climate Change Committee warning that, if left unabated, the sector could become the largest emitter in the UK by 2050. Despite these warnings, the Government has yet to include aviation emissions within Carbon Budgets, as pledged by ministers two and a half years ago. The Committee calls for urgent legislative action to address this omission within the Climate Change Act 2008.
The report underscores the need for comprehensive research on the environmental effects of aviation beyond carbon dioxide removal efforts. Uncertainty remains about the impact of soot emissions and aviation sulfur compound emissions, prompting a call for active research to address these concerns.
While the government aims for sustainable aviation fuels to provide 10% of aviation fuel for UK flights by 2030, the report highlights a lack of globally recognized definitions for such fuels, raising concerns about their sustainability. The Committee calls for collaboration between the government and the UK industry to establish robust safeguards and a clear definition for sustainable aviation fuels.
The report notes that the government is not considering active demand management as a tool to reduce aviation emissions. The Committee urges a review of progress against the Jet Zero Strategy by the end of 2025, with a call for reconsideration of demand management if existing policies prove insufficient in rapidly reducing emissions.
The report highlights the significant potential for zero-emission short-haul UK journeys, with hydrogen-electric and battery-electric options deemed deployable without significant infrastructure development. The Committee calls on the government to roll out zero-emission aircraft on specific routes within the UK by 2040, with the possibility of full implementation for all UK flights if successful.
Jerome Mayhew MP, a member of the Environmental Audit Committee, highlighted the urgency of the government's action. "Aviation’s path to decarbonisation is substantially slower than that of many other sectors of the economy, and will require a number of different initiatives to make a tangible impact," said Mayhew, urging the government to prioritize the recommendations outlined in the report for a sustainable and swift transition to a low-carbon aviation sector.
