Select committee: Environmental Audit Committee

Conclusion 28

Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector Published 21 Dec 2023 Paragraph 194
Conclusion (the committee's words)
There is considerable dispute over the desirability of policy measures which would reduce UK aviation emissions by reducing the demand for aviation services. The Climate Change Committee has been clear that demand management is the most effective way of reducing aviation CO2 and non-CO2 emissions, and whilst there are a number of different approaches available for consideration, they have not been subject to formal modelling in the Jet Zero Strategy policy framework.

From: Environmental Audit Committee, Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector (HC 404), paragraph 194, 21 December 2023

Government response

The government responded to the whole report on 3 April 2024 (deadline 21 February 2024).

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it agrees with some recommendations, partially agrees with two and notes others, and sets out its approach through the Jet Zero Strategy, with a first major review in 2027.

  • On the review of the Jet Zero Strategy, the government "notes" the recommendation for an initial review by the end of 2025; it will monitor progress annually from 2025, with "the first major review" in 2027.
  • On sustainable aviation fuel, it agrees with the recommendations on safeguards and on international standards, and states that the UK "will introduce a SAF mandate from 2025", requiring at least 10% of UK aviation fuel to be SAF by 2030.
  • It "notes" the recommendation on a SAF price support mechanism, stating that a revenue certainty mechanism could be delivered "by the end of 2026", with options to be carefully considered in a consultation.
  • It "partially agrees" with the recommendations on land criteria for SAF feedstocks and on a zero-emission routes target, and "notes" the recommendation on demand management, citing DfT analysis that net zero targets can be met by focusing on new fuels and technology rather than capping demand.

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