Net zero aviation and shipping

Environmental Audit Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 20 Jul 2021 Closed: 13 Mar 2025 Parliament page
Aviation and shipping pose major challenges to reducing emissions. Together they account for 10% of UK greenhouse gas emissions and on current trends, aviation will be the largest emitting sector by 2050. The Government has set ambitious targets to reach net zero emissions by 2050 for the UK’s share of … Read more
32 Recommendations
38 Conclusions
2 Reports
5 Oral sessions
3 Letters
5 Events
Activity timeline 17 events
13 Mar
2025
Correspondence
13 Feb
2025
Report published
13 Feb
2025
Correspondence
29 May
2024
Report published
3 Apr
2024
Report published
21 Dec
2023
Report published
9 Jun
2022
Correspondence
18 May
2022
Oral evidence
18 May
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
30 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
30 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
26 Jan
2022
Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions 5 sessions
18 May 2022
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Panel 1; Panel 3
Eamonn Beirne · Department for Transport Emma Gilthorpe · Jet Zero Council Holly Greig · Department for Transport Lee Rowley · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Paul Griffiths · Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Robert Courts · Department for Transport Sophie Lane · Aerospace Technology Institute
30 Mar 2022
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Andy Cornell · Renewable Transport Fuel Association David Morgan · easyJet Dr Neville Hargreaves · Velocys Helena Bennett · Green Alliance Hemant Mistry · International Air Transport Association Jonathon Counsell · International Airlines Group Mr Jonathan Hinkles · Loganair Paddy Lowe · Zero Petroleum
26 Jan 2022
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Alex Clark · Smith School of Enterprise and Environment, University of Oxford Dr Tristan Smith · UCL Energy Institute Guy Platten · International Chamber of Shipping Katharine Palmer · Lloyd's Register Michael Parker · Citi Mike McCartain · Associated British Ports
1 Dec 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Glenn Llewellyn · Airbus Hannah Tew · Connected Places Catapult Leo Murray · Possible Matt Gorman · Heathrow Airport Tim Johnson · Aviation Environment Federation Val Miftakhov · ZeroAvia
27 Oct 2021
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Panel 1; Panel 2
Anna Ziou · UK Chamber of Shipping Chris Young · Rolls-Royce Dr Andy Jefferson · Sustainable Aviation Dr Chika Miyoshi · Cranfield University Sarah Kenny · Maritime UK Simon Bullock · Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, University of Manchester
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK shipping HC 509 29 May 2024 33 Responded
Third Report - Net zero and the UK aviation sector HC 404 21 Dec 2023 37 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
11 results
Clear
16 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Net zero and the UK…
Establish clear criteria for land allocation to grow SAF feedstocks in Land Use Strategy.
We note with approval the Government’s criteria restricting the feedstocks to be used in UK-manufactured SAF and specifying that feedstocks are not to be obtained from land with high biodiversity value or land with high carbon stocks. We recommend that … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, stating that strict sustainability criteria in the forthcoming SAF mandate will ensure emissions savings and protect against land use change. It also confirms it takes every opportunity in international forums to press for high sustainability standards in SAF production.
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21 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Net zero and the UK…
Establish a 2040 target for zero-emission aircraft on essential UK connectivity routes.
While zero-emission flight technologies offer a route to significant reductions in aviation’s CO2 emissions, their deployment is realistically likely to be limited to short-haul flights for the foreseeable future. ZEF can play a significant role in Net zero and the … Read more
Government Response
The government partially agrees, having an aspiration for zero-emission routes by 2030 and a target for UK domestic aviation to reach net zero by 2040, but not a specific target for the full roll-out of zero-emission aircraft on a minimum number of essential routes by 2040. It also funds ZEF technology development.
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34 Conclusion Accepted in Part
Third Report - Net zero and the UK…
Five-yearly Jet Zero Strategy review timetable is too relaxed, risking late policy adjustments.
Ministers have committed to five-yearly reviews of progress against the Jet Zero Strategy’s targets, and have undertaken to take action to amend policy if it appears to be necessary. On the current timetable the first such review is to take … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the concern about the review timetable, stating they will monitor progress annually from 2025, with the first major review of the Jet Zero Strategy remaining in 2027. They also plan to produce a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
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35 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Third Report - Net zero and the UK…
Undertake initial review of Jet Zero Strategy modelling by end of 2025 for emissions targets.
We recommend that an initial review of the Jet Zero Strategy and the modelling underlying its ‘high ambition’ scenario be undertaken no later than the end of 2025, with a view to determining whether the Strategy remains on track to … Read more
Government Response
The government notes the recommendation, stating they will monitor progress annually from 2025 but reaffirming the first major review of the Strategy and delivery plan will be in 2027, rather than by the end of 2025. They also plan to produce a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework.
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13 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Review and commit to further matching funding for UK shipping decarbonisation research until 2030.
The Government must send clear and unambiguous signals to the UK maritime sector that it is committed to supporting its transition to net zero. We recommend that Ministers urgently review the funding perspectives for decarbonisation of UK shipping and, no … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing the need for R&D funding and long-term certainty but states it will consider how to take this forward as part of the next multi-year spending review, rather than committing by the next fiscal event.
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18 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Clean Maritime Plan lacks clear, measurable objectives for shipping operational efficiencies.
The current Clean Maritime Plan sets no clear or measurable objectives for the UK’s contribution to operational efficiencies from domestic and international shipping.
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, recognizing efficiency's role and committing to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures, while also exploring the case for complementary domestic measures.
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19 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Set stretching interim targets for UK domestic shipping emission savings within the refreshed Clean Maritime Plan.
The refreshed Clean Maritime Plan must set stretching interim targets for the emissions savings to be achieved from operational efficiencies in UK domestic shipping to 2050, together with a detailed plan for how these savings are to be achieved through … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, acknowledging the role of efficiency in decarbonisation and stating its intent to support the IMO's review of energy efficiency measures. However, it does not commit to setting stretching interim targets or a detailed plan for UK domestic shipping, instead focusing on exploring the case for domestic measures.
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25 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Launch net zero ports consultation immediately to plan infrastructure, funding, and electrification requirements.
We recommend that Ministers launch their planned consultation on net zero ports without further delay, so as to gather signals from the ports industry and the wider maritime sector at the earliest opportunity as to what infrastructure is likely to … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and is considering options for a call for evidence alongside its domestic maritime decarbonisation plan, aiming to collate evidence on port clean energy infrastructure and enable port decarbonisation.
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28 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Require Ministers to set out current state of green corridor feasibility studies and discussions
In its response to this report we expect Ministers to set out the current state of each of the green corridor feasibility studies UK SHORE is engaged in, and the state of discussions with the USA, Canada, Singapore and other … Read more
Government Response
The government partially accepts the recommendation, providing details on £1.1m funding for three Green Corridor feasibility studies and £80.4m for zero-emission vessel technology. They list bilateral partnerships with several countries, acknowledging current engagement and stating progress on individual corridors will be provided at appropriate points.
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32 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Ensure revised Clean Maritime Plan contains ambitious targets, zero-emission fuel strategy, and shore power measures
The revised Plan will represent a significant policy statement from Ministers in response to the IMO’s revised GHG strategy. It must be cast so as to outstrip the ambition of the IMO’s current strategy, while setting out stretching yet deliverable … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts this recommendation, stating it is considering options for setting interim and 2050 GHG emission goals for UK domestic maritime in its upcoming strategy and will set out the pathway to meet these. It also commits to continuing support for the IMO's GHG Strategy and developing a new maritime emissions model.
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33 Recommendation Accepted in Part
Seventh Report - Net zero and UK s…
Require Ministers to update Parliament on Clean Maritime Plan progress and commit to publication date
The delay in publication of the revised Clean Maritime Plan is highly undesirable, particularly in the light of recent intensification of international dialogues on maritime decarbonisation. Stakeholders understandably demand policy certainty before making substantial investment decisions on decarbonisation strategies. Ministers … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts this recommendation to publish the revised Clean Maritime Plan, stating it will do so 'shortly' and outlining its key contents including pathways, policy interventions, and timelines. However, it does not commit to the specific three-month deadline for publication or explicitly state when it will update Parliament before then.
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Government Response AI assessment · 66 of 32 classified
Accepted 29
Accepted in Part 11
Acknowledged 9
Deferred 16
Rejected 1
Total 32 recs + 38 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
13 Mar 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the Government's Response to the Seventh Report from the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2023–24, on Net zero and UK shipping, dated 3 March 2025
Parliament page
13 Feb 2025 To committee Letter from the Chair of the Committee to the Secretary of State for Transport, relating to the Government's Response to the Seventh Report from the Environmental Audit Committee of Session 2023–24, on Net zero and UK shipping, dated 12 February 2025
Parliament page
9 Jun 2022 To committee Letter from the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Security), Department for Transport, relating to the impact on aviation emissions in relation to the changes to rates for Air Passenger Duty banding, dated 27 May 2022
Parliament page