Home / Sources / Select Committees / Environmental Audit Committee / Net zero aviation and shipping
Index live
Select Committee · Environmental Audit Committee

Net zero aviation and shipping

Status: Closed Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 13 Mar 2025 33 recommendations 37 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 … Show more

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

9 items
3 Conclusion Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Acknowledged

Inclusion of international aviation emissions in Sixth Carbon Budget sends positive signal

The Government’s decision to include international aviation emissions in the UK’s budgets with effect from the Sixth Carbon Budget has sent a very positive signal about the UK’s resolve to address carbon emissions from UK aviation by the use of policy instruments. Establishing a requirement to bring aviation emissions within … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation, acknowledges the complexity and varying models for aviation emissions, and states that DfT is continually improving its modelling capability and will consider new evidence as part of monitoring the Jet Zero Strategy.
Read full response →
14 Conclusion Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Acknowledged

Government initiatives to establish domestic SAF industry and mandate are welcomed and monitored.

We welcome the initiatives taken by the Government to date to establish a domestic industry for the manufacture of sustainable aviation fuels, and the steps it is taking to build long-term supply chains for domestic and international aviation. We note the measures announced to date on the establishment in 2025 … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's observation and states that while its Jet Zero Strategy focuses on new fuels and technology without limiting growth, it will consider further measures if the sector does not meet emissions reduction targets.
Read full response →
20 Conclusion Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Acknowledged

Zero-emission flight shows promising long-term potential for eliminating aviation carbon emissions.

Zero-emission flight represents a very promising long-term prospect for achieving reductions in the CO2 emissions from UK aviation. Unlike the use of SAF, zero- emission flight technologies hold out the promise of eliminating the carbon emissions entailed in aircraft movements. We are encouraged by the significant contributions to research and … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observation by detailing its significant financial support for the Aerospace Technology Institute Programme, which funds the development of new and zero-carbon emission aircraft technology.
Read full response →
29 Conclusion Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Acknowledged

Jet Zero Strategy prioritises aviation growth over demand management, exceeding CCC recommendations.

We note that UK Ministers have so far ruled out the inclusion of active demand management measures in the Jet Zero Strategy in preference for a policy which promotes the growth of the airline industry following the pandemic. This is beyond the approach proposed by the Climate Change Committee. Although … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the committee's observation about its preference for growth over demand management in the Jet Zero Strategy, stating its focus is on new fuels and technology to achieve net zero, but will consider further measures if emissions targets are not met.
Read full response →
36 Recommendation Third Report - Net zero and the UK avia… Acknowledged

Aviation sector must actively engage in review of emissions reduction shortfalls.

The review should be undertaken with the active engagement of the UK aviation sector, which is principally responsible for delivering the reductions in emissions it has claimed are possible: any shortfalls in delivery ought to be reviewed and urgently remedied. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation and outlines its commitment to a data-led approach, including annual monitoring of the Jet Zero Strategy from 2025, major reviews every five years, and the development of a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
Read full response →
1 Conclusion Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Acknowledged

We welcome the International Maritime Organization’s adoption in 2023 of a revised Greenhouse Gas Strategy...

We welcome the International Maritime Organization’s adoption in 2023 of a revised Greenhouse Gas Strategy and the clearer signals it provides to IMO States and the shipping industry on the pathway to achieving net zero ambitions from shipping by 2050. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the IMO's 2023 Revised GHG Strategy and commits to working towards the highest possible ambition as part of the next review in 2028.
Read full response →
16 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Acknowledged

Develop strategy and delivery plan for zero-emission marine fuel manufacturing facilities in UK clusters.

As part of the updated Clean Maritime Plan the Government must develop a strategy to support the development in UK maritime clusters of facilities for the manufacture of zero-emission marine fuels. This strategy must be supported by a delivery plan which sets clear production milestones. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation, stating that the manufacture of zero-emission marine fuels is a complex issue with unfully understood competitiveness. They highlight existing support for low-carbon hydrogen projects and maritime clusters, and innovation funding through the £206m UK SHORE programme.
Read full response →
20 Conclusion Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Acknowledged

UK's 'soft power' via English law and Hydrographic Office aids global shipping decarbonisation.

The UK’s influence in international shipping is considerable and extends beyond its prominent position at the IMO. The basis of the majority of international shipping contracts is English law. The UK Hydrographic Office provides unrivalled resources to support vessels in optimising their voyages so as to maximise energy efficiency. This … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the observation, recognising the UK's leading role in shipping law and hydrography. It states it is considering how to reflect and build on these strengths while developing a maritime decarbonisation strategy.
Read full response →
21 Recommendation Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shippi… Acknowledged

Commission workstream to optimise international shipping efficiency through UK Hydrographic Office expertise.

We recommend that, as part of the refreshed Clean Maritime Plan, Ministers commission a workstream to examine how the efficiency of international shipping operations can be further optimised by the appropriate development of the expertise in the UK Hydrographic Office. Read more

Government response AI summary
The government notes the recommendation, stating it will engage with UK stakeholders, including the UKHO and other expertise centers, as part of its work on energy efficiency, rather than commissioning a specific new workstream.
Read full response →

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 ↗

Who gave evidence

33 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Alex Clark · Researcher Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford 1
Andy Cornell · Representative Renewable Transport Fuel Association 1
Anna Ziou · Policy Director UK Chamber of Shipping 1
Chris Young · Group Chief Engineer Rolls-Royce 1
David Morgan · Director of Flight Operations easyJet 1
Dr Andy Jefferson · Programme Director Sustainable Aviation 1
Dr Chika Miyoshi · Reader in Environmental Systems for Aerospace Cranfield University 1
Dr Neville Hargreaves · Vice President, Waste to Fuels Velocys 1
Dr Tristan Smith · Reader in Energy and Shipping UCL Energy Institute 1
Eamonn Beirne · Deputy Director: Maritime Environment, Technology… Department for Transport 1
Emma Gilthorpe · CEO Jet Zero Council 1
Glenn Llewellyn · Vice President, Zero Emission Aircraft Airbus 1
Guy Platten · Secretary General International Chamber of Shipping 1
Hannah Tew · Director of Air Mobility Connected Places Catapult 1
Helena Bennett · Head of Climate Policy Green Alliance 1
Hemant Mistry · Director of Energy Transition International Air Transport Association 1
Holly Greig · Deputy Director: Aviation Decarbonisation Division Department for Transport 1
Jonathon Counsell · Group Sustainability Director International Airlines Group 1
Katharine Palmer · Global Head of Sustainability Lloyd's Register 1
Lee Rowley · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister … Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 1
Leo Murray · Director of Innovation Possible 1
Matt Gorman · Director of Carbon Strategy Heathrow Airport 1
Michael Parker · Chairman, Global Shipping, Logistics & Offshore Citi 1
Mike McCartain · Group Director of Safety, Marine and Engineering Associated British Ports 1
Mr Jonathan Hinkles · Chief Executive Loganair 1
Paddy Lowe · Founder and CEO Zero Petroleum 1
Paul Griffiths · Head of Aerospace Team Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 1
Robert Courts · Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Department for Transport 1
Sarah Kenny · Chair Maritime UK 1
Simon Bullock · Research Associate Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester 1
Sophie Lane · Chief Relationships Officer Aerospace Technology Institute 1
Tim Johnson · Director Aviation Environment Federation 1
Val Miftakhov · Founder & CEO ZeroAvia 1

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, …