Select Committee · Environmental Audit Committee

Net zero aviation and shipping

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 13 Mar 2025 32 recommendations 38 conclusions 2 reports

Aviation and shipping pose major challenges to reducing emissions. Together they account for 10% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and on current trends, aviation will be the largest emitting sector by 2050. The Government has set ambitious targets to reach net zero emissions by 2050 for the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping. This …

Clear

Reports

2 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shipping HC 509 29 May 2024 33 Responded
Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector HC 404 21 Dec 2023 37 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

11 items
16 Recommendation Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Accepted in Part

Establish clear criteria for land allocation to grow SAF feedstocks in Land Use Strategy.

We note with approval the Government’s criteria restricting the feedstocks to be used in UK-manufactured SAF and specifying that feedstocks are not to be obtained from land with high biodiversity value or land with high carbon stocks. We recommend that in its forthcoming Land Use Strategy the Government establish clear …

Government response. The government partially agrees, stating that strict sustainability criteria in the forthcoming SAF mandate will ensure emissions savings and protect against land use change. It also confirms it takes every opportunity in international forums to press for high sustainability standards …
21 Recommendation Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Accepted in Part

Establish a 2040 target for zero-emission aircraft on essential UK connectivity routes.

While zero-emission flight technologies offer a route to significant reductions in aviation’s CO2 emissions, their deployment is realistically likely to be limited to short-haul flights for the foreseeable future. ZEF can play a significant role in Net zero and the UK aviation sector 53 promoting aviation as a means of …

Government response. The government partially agrees, having an aspiration for zero-emission routes by 2030 and a target for UK domestic aviation to reach net zero by 2040, but not a specific target for the full roll-out of zero-emission aircraft on a minimum …
34 Conclusion Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Accepted in Part

Five-yearly Jet Zero Strategy review timetable is too relaxed, risking late policy adjustments.

Ministers have committed to five-yearly reviews of progress against the Jet Zero Strategy’s targets, and have undertaken to take action to amend policy if it appears to be necessary. On the current timetable the first such review is to take place in 2027. This appears to us to be a …

Government response. The government notes the concern about the review timetable, stating they will monitor progress annually from 2025, with the first major review of the Jet Zero Strategy remaining in 2027. They also plan to produce a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation …
35 Recommendation Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Accepted in Part

Undertake initial review of Jet Zero Strategy modelling by end of 2025 for emissions targets.

We recommend that an initial review of the Jet Zero Strategy and the modelling underlying its ‘high ambition’ scenario be undertaken no later than the end of 2025, with a view to determining whether the Strategy remains on track to meet the interim emissions reductions projected for 2030 and 2040 …

Government response. The government notes the recommendation, stating they will monitor progress annually from 2025 but reaffirming the first major review of the Strategy and delivery plan will be in 2027, rather than by the end of 2025. They also plan to …
13 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Review and commit to further matching funding for UK shipping decarbonisation research until 2030.

The Government must send clear and unambiguous signals to the UK maritime sector that it is committed to supporting its transition to net zero. We recommend that Ministers urgently review the funding perspectives for decarbonisation of UK shipping and, no later than the next fiscal event, provide a commitment to …

Government response. The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing the need for R&D funding and long-term certainty but states it will consider how to take this forward as part of the next multi-year spending review, rather than committing by the next fiscal …
18 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Clean Maritime Plan lacks clear, measurable objectives for shipping operational efficiencies.

The current Clean Maritime Plan sets no clear or measurable objectives for the UK’s contribution to operational efficiencies from domestic and international shipping.

Government response. The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing efficiency's role and committing to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures, while also exploring the case for complementary domestic measures.
19 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Set stretching interim targets for UK domestic shipping emission savings within the refreshed Clean Maritime Plan.

The refreshed Clean Maritime Plan must set stretching interim targets for the emissions savings to be achieved from operational efficiencies in UK domestic shipping to 2050, together with a detailed plan for how these savings are to be achieved through measures such as route and speed optimisation.

Government response. The government partially accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the role of efficiency in decarbonisation and stating its intent to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures. However, it does not commit to setting stretching interim targets or a detailed plan …
25 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Launch net zero ports consultation immediately to plan infrastructure, funding, and electrification requirements.

We recommend that Ministers launch their planned consultation on net zero ports without further delay, so as to gather signals from the ports industry and the wider maritime sector at the earliest opportunity as to what infrastructure is likely to be required to minimise the emissions from ships at berth …

Government response. The government accepts the recommendation and is considering options for a call for evidence alongside its domestic maritime decarbonisation plan, aiming to collate evidence on port clean energy infrastructure and enable port decarbonisation.
28 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Require Ministers to set out current state of green corridor feasibility studies and discussions

In its response to this report we expect Ministers to set out the current state of each of the green corridor feasibility studies UK SHORE is engaged in, and the state of discussions with the USA, Canada, Singapore and other relevant Clydebank signatories on the requirements for implementing bilateral green …

Government response. The government partially accepts the recommendation, providing details on £1.1m funding for three Green Corridor feasibility studies and £80.4m for zero-emission vessel technology. They list bilateral partnerships with several countries, acknowledging current engagement and stating progress on individual corridors will …
32 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Ensure revised Clean Maritime Plan contains ambitious targets, zero-emission fuel strategy, and shore power measures

The revised Plan will represent a significant policy statement from Ministers in response to the IMO’s revised GHG strategy. It must be cast so as to outstrip the ambition of the IMO’s current strategy, while setting out stretching yet deliverable policy objectives and actions for the UK maritime sector. At …

Government response. The government accepts this recommendation, stating it is considering options for setting interim and 2050 GHG emission goals for UK domestic maritime in its upcoming strategy and will set out the pathway to meet these. It also commits to continuing …
33 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Accepted in Part

Require Ministers to update Parliament on Clean Maritime Plan progress and commit to publication date

The delay in publication of the revised Clean Maritime Plan is highly undesirable, particularly in the light of recent intensification of international dialogues on maritime decarbonisation. Stakeholders understandably demand policy certainty before making substantial investment decisions on decarbonisation strategies. Ministers must therefore update Parliament as soon as possible in the …

Government response. The government accepts this recommendation to publish the revised Clean Maritime Plan, stating it will do so 'shortly' and outlining its key contents including pathways, policy interventions, and timelines. However, it does not commit to the specific three-month deadline for …

Oral evidence sessions

5 sessions
Date Witnesses
18 May 2022 Eamonn Beirne · Department for Transport, Emma Gilthorpe · Jet Zero Council, Holly Greig · Department for Transport, Lee Rowley · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Paul Griffiths · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Robert Courts · Department for Transport, Sophie Lane · Aerospace Technology Institute View ↗
30 Mar 2022 Andy Cornell · Renewable Transport Fuel Association, David Morgan · easyJet, Dr Neville Hargreaves · Velocys, Helena Bennett · Green Alliance, Hemant Mistry · International Air Transport Association, Jonathon Counsell · International Airlines Group, Mr Jonathan Hinkles · Loganair, Paddy Lowe · Zero Petroleum View ↗
26 Jan 2022 Alex Clark · Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford, Dr Tristan Smith · UCL Energy Institute, Guy Platten · International Chamber of Shipping, Katharine Palmer · Lloyd's Register, Michael Parker · Citi, Mike McCartain · Associated British Ports View ↗
1 Dec 2021 Glenn Llewellyn · Airbus, Hannah Tew · Connected Places Catapult, Leo Murray · Possible, Matt Gorman · Heathrow Airport, Tim Johnson · Aviation Environment Federation, Val Miftakhov · ZeroAvia View ↗
27 Oct 2021 Anna Ziou · UK Chamber of Shipping, Chris Young · Rolls-Royce, Dr Andy Jefferson · Sustainable Aviation, Dr Chika Miyoshi · Cranfield University, Sarah Kenny · Maritime UK, Simon Bullock · Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester View ↗

Correspondence

3 letters
DateDirectionTitle
13 Mar 2025 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Government's R…
13 Feb 2025 To cttee Letter from the Chair of the Committee to the Secretary of State for Transport,…
9 Jun 2022 To cttee Letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Aviation, …