Source · Select Committees · Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 49
Inclusion of international aviation emissions in Sixth Carbon Budget sends positive signal
Conclusion
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 the Sixth Carbon Budget target by 2037, rather than leaving budgetary headroom for them as in previous budgets, removes ambiguities around the issue and obliges the Government to address the complexities around accounting for the UK’s share of international aviation emissions.
Government Response 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.
Paragraph Reference:
49
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government notes this recommendation. Given the complexity of decarbonising the aviation sector, the long lead in times and high levels of uncertainty, the outputs from the modelling undertaken by the Climate Change Committee, the Government and Sustainable Aviation vary as to the projections of likely emissions reductions from UK aviation by 2050. The Climate Change Committee use the same aviation model as the Government for its emissions projections, however the trajectories vary due to the different underlying assumptions. The Government is awaiting Sustainable Aviation’s technical document accompanying their roadmap which will detail the underlying data and assumptions underpinning the modelling allowing for a more detailed comparison. DfT is continually working to improve its modelling capability and evidence base relating to aviation decarbonisation as part of its monitoring of the Jet Zero Strategy and will consider the evidence presented in Sustainable Aviation’s roadmap and the Climate change Committees modelling as part of this process.