Sustainable Aviation has issued the below response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (Committee) letter this morning (25 November) to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark on UK aviation emissions.

The aviation sector is keenly aware of the concerns around CO₂ emissions and is continuing its substantial investments in reducing its carbon emissions. Sustainable Aviation believes that these investments, combined with the on-going support of Governments, means the aviation sector in Britain can continue to accommodate significant growth to 2050 without a substantial increase in absolute CO₂ emissions. Achieving this position is broadly in line with the levels recommended by the Committee.

Sustainable Aviation Chair Ian Jopson said:

• “We understand the Committee’s concerns, but our research which is based on the most recent demand forecasts demonstrates that UK aviation is able to accommodate significant growth to 2050 and still be broadly in line with the Committee’s ambitious targets.”

• “We’re confident that with the indications from Government this week on support for R&D and renewable fuels, industry will be able to meet the Committee’s targets, deploying more efficient aircraft, engines, air traffic management systems and operational practices.“

Sustainable Aviation will be publishing an update to their CO₂ Road Map on Monday (05/12/16), which we believe has a more optimistic, yet realistic approach than the Committee on the rate of aircraft fuel efficiency improvement by 2050.

The new Road Map will show that UK aviation is able to accommodate significant growth to 2050 without a substantial increase in absolute CO₂ emissions, through three key initiatives; efficient air traffic management and operational practices, more efficient engines and aircraft, the development of sustainable aviation fuels.

Further reductions in net CO₂ emissions from UK aviation will be possible through the use of market based measures. The industry remains committed to market based measures and is willing to support them into the future.

ENDS