Select committee: Environmental Audit Committee
Recommendation 37
Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector
Published 21 Dec 2023
Paragraph 203
Environmental Audit Committee Net zero aviation and shipping All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
Should the evidence of the review indicate that technological measures alone will not deliver the emissions reductions predicted, we recommend that Ministers reconsider the role of demand management measures in aviation emissions policy. In preparation for the outcome of that review, we recommend that the Government develop policy proposals on demand reduction, including consideration of greater use of digital technologies, reducing the cost of rail travel, and a frequent flyer levy, should these then be required.
From: Environmental Audit Committee, Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector (HC 404), paragraph 203, 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.