Select committee: Environmental Audit Committee
Conclusion 32
Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector
Published 21 Dec 2023
Paragraph 198
Environmental Audit Committee Net zero aviation and shipping All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Conclusion (the committee's words)
We recognise that the Government’s decision, while consistent with a policy of promoting the UK aviation industry, carries a degree of risk. In order to deliver the emissions reductions foreseen, the high ambition scenario in the Jet Zero Strategy needs to be followed through with vigour and conviction and needs to be given the appropriate priority for delivery. Failure to follow through on the ambitions expressed will result in the UK falling behind in its delivery of emissions reductions, Net zero and the UK aviation sector 55 leaving other sectors to pick up the slack. Even if the Government maintains its high ambition, there is a risk that the aviation sector will not fulfil the confident predictions it has made for emissions reductions.
From: Environmental Audit Committee, Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector (HC 404), paragraph 198, 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.