Thank you for contacting me about aviation emissions.
I understand your concerns and want to assure you that the Government is committed to reducing emissions produced by the aviation sector.
Aviation must play its part in helping the UK meet its target to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Government's ambition is that UK domestic aviation will be net zero by 2040, supplemented by a further aim that net zero aviation emissions will be possible by 2050.
To support these targets, I am aware that the Government is investing match-funding in the development of new and zero carbon aircraft technology and infrastructure. Modernising flight paths can also reduce CO2 emissions from aviation and reduce noise for those near flightpaths.
Technical consultation and analysis as part of the Government's Jet Zero programme showed that the aviation sector can achieve net zero without the need for Government intervention to limit aviation growth. The Government's stated aim is to preserve the ability for people to fly whilst supporting consumers to make sustainable aviation travel choices. To begin delivering this vision, the Government is funding a British-led consortium as it conducts the first-ever net zero transatlantic flight in 2023.
The Government is committed to accelerating the commercialisation of UK sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). To this end, emissions savings are being secured through a mandate, which will be introduced from 2025 and will require at least ten per cent of UK aviation fuel to be derived from sustainable sources by 2030. The Government is also funding the £15 million Aerospace Technology Institute-led FlyZero project. This in-depth research study brings together experts from across industry and academia to explore concepts for zero-carbon emission aircraft.
The Jet Zero Strategy, published in July 2022, adds to the Government's ambitions with a SAF clearing house to enable early-stage aviation fuel testing opening in 2022 and a new commitment of having at least five commercial SAF plants under construction by 2025. The Jet Zero Council, made up of leading figures from industry, academia and Government, continues work to speed up the design, manufacture, and rollout of zero emission aircraft and key infrastructure at British airports.
Action is clearly needed at a global level too, which is why the UK participates in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.