Non-CO2 aviation emissions
Impact of non-CO2 aviation effects, such as contrails, on net zero targets and the need for their reduction.
94 items
3 sources
Source spread
Where this theme appears
Non-CO2 aviation emissions has been flagged across 3 independent accountability sources:
1 PFD report
92 committee recs
1 LGO/SPSO decision
When the same issue appears across inquiries, coroner reports, and regulators independently, it indicates a recurring issue across the public record.
Browse by source
Source-grouped records are useful for tracing where a concern came from. Large sections show the 50 strongest matches for that source; counts still show the full theme total.
Committee Recommendations (92) — showing 50 strongest matches
#20 — Require consultation on airspace-wide contrail avoidance and account for non-CO2 aviation effects.
Recommendation: Within six months of the publication of this report the Government must consult on airspace-wide contrail avoidance measures. Furthermore, given the significant role that non-CO2 effects play in global warming, the Government must account for these in its assessment of …
Gov response: The Government recognises that aviation has both CO2 emissions and non-CO2 climate impacts that need to be addressed. However, there is significant uncertainty about the interaction of non-CO2 effects with the atmosphere and therefore the …
Not Addressed
#19 — Reducing non-CO2 aviation effects like contrails crucial for achieving net zero
Recommendation: Whilst a reduction in aviation emissions is necessary to deliver a net zero aviation sector, an important contribution to the UK’s efforts is the reduction of non-CO2 effects, such as contrails. (Conclusion, Paragraph 81)
Gov response: The Government recognises that aviation has both CO2 emissions and non-CO2 climate impacts that need to be addressed. However, there is significant uncertainty about the interaction of non-CO2 effects with the atmosphere and therefore the …
Accepted
#14 — Publish noise and biodiversity impact assessments for airspace modernisation, and expand mitigation
Recommendation: The Government must publish an impact assessment of its airspace modernisation work in regard to how it will change noise impacts as well as publish a map which allows people to see where the noise of aircraft is likely to …
Gov response: As set out in response to recommendation 13, the ANPS review will consider relevant changes that have taken place since 2018, including those relating to climate and environmental targets. Any amendments to the ANPS and …
Under Consideration
#13 — Airspace modernisation likely to expand flight paths and increase noise impact
Recommendation: We understand the need for the Government to modernise the airspace around the UK, particularly if this will minimise the queuing of planes at airports and reduce the time planes spend circling before they can land. However, this work is …
Gov response: the Government will meet carbon budgets 4–6 while driving growth. The Government will legislate for the Carbon Budget 7 target by June 2026. As part of the ANPS review, DfT is considering how the Government’s …
Under Consideration
#10 — Incentivise airlines to use aircraft reducing non-CO2 emissions and consult on fleet age
Recommendation: The Government should set out in its response to this report what work and research it is supporting to reduce non-CO2 emissions that damage air quality around airports. It should also confirm whether it has identified which current aircraft have …
Gov response: The Government is committed to the use of carbon pricing, through the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) and Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), to drive cost-effective decarbonisation of the aviation …
Under Consideration
#20 —
Recommendation: The Government must take steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions as air transport movements increase. The Government should continue to invest in new aviation decarbonisation technologies, including synthetic aviation fuels, to ensure that the UK aviation sector emits less than …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognises that the aviation industry has an important role to play to achieve our net zero targets. In March 2022, the Government announced a record …
Accepted
#15 —
Recommendation: There is significant demand and potential for sustainable aviation fuels in the aviation sector: they are the most plausible option for significant decarbonisation of aviation in the short and medium terms. We welcome the SAF mandate in the Jet Zero …
Gov response: The Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate (to be introduced from 2025) is the cornerstone of the Government’s SAF strategy, and not only contains an important incentive mechanism to drive demand for SAF but will also …
Not Addressed
#2 — Military equipment and training require urgent adaptation for extreme temperatures and emissions.
Recommendation: Military equipment will need to be adapted to operate effectively under the more extreme temperature ranges that are predicted, as well to help reduce emissions, although this should be achieved without compromising military capability. This process cannot be delayed; more …
Gov response: . The MOD’s Strategic Approach to Climate Change and Sustainability states that ‘Defence must preserve its capabilities despite the impact of climate change…while never compromising capability solely for a sustainable solution.’ This is why its …
Accepted
#37 — Develop policy proposals for aviation demand reduction, including frequent flyer levy.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Addressed
#36 — Aviation sector must actively engage in review of emissions reduction shortfalls.
Recommendation: The review should be undertaken with the active engagement of the UK aviation sector, which is principally responsible for delivering the reductions in emissions it has claimed are possible: any shortfalls in delivery ought to be reviewed and urgently remedied.
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Government are committed to a data led approach in our policy making and we remain transparent in our modelling towards Jet Zero. We will monitor progress against our emissions …
Not Addressed
#35 — Undertake initial review of Jet Zero Strategy modelling by end of 2025 for emissions targets.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Government are committed to a data led approach in our policy making and we remain transparent in our modelling towards Jet Zero. We will monitor progress against our emissions …
Partially Accepted
#34 — Five-yearly Jet Zero Strategy review timetable is too relaxed, risking late policy adjustments.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Government are committed to a data led approach in our policy making and we remain transparent in our modelling towards Jet Zero. We will monitor progress against our emissions …
Partially Accepted
#22 — Include funding for research into non-CO2 atmospheric effects of zero-emission flight technologies.
Recommendation: Zero-emission flight is sometimes described as providing ‘guilt-free’ flying. While it is the case that ZEF technologies remove the CO2 emissions from conventional aircraft movements which are aviation’s most damaging effect on the environment, the potential effects on the atmosphere …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. Through the Jet Zero Strategy, we confirmed our intention to accelerate our work to address aviation’s non-CO impacts by better developing our understanding of their impact and potential mitigations. …
Accepted
#5 — Lay draft statutory instrument defining international aviation and shipping emissions before Parliament
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government lay before Parliament for approval, without further delay, a draft statutory instrument under section 30 of the Climate Change Act 2008 to define the emissions from international aviation and international shipping which are to be …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. A refreshed Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) was published in January 2023 which extends the strategy out to 2040, reaffirming our commitment to delivering this key infrastructure programme5. The AMS …
Accepted
#2 — Commission and support research into aviation's total environmental effects for net zero strategy
Recommendation: We consider that any strategy designed to reduce the impact of UK aviation activity on global warming ought to encompass the environmental effects of aviation in their entirety. We therefore recommend that the Government actively commission, promote and support research …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. Government has followed the latest advice of the CCC and will include international aviation and shipping emissions (IAS) emissions in the Sixth Carbon Budget. This change allows for them to …
Under Consideration
#1 — Non-CO2 climate impacts of aviation remain unquantifiable and poorly understood
Recommendation: The impact of conventional aviation activity on climate is still not fully quantifiable. While the contribution of aviation to levels of atmospheric CO and other greenhouse 2 gases is quantifiable and substantial, the climate impact of other emissions from aviation …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. In the Jet Zero Strategy, the Government recognises that aviation has both CO emissions and non-CO climate impacts that need to be addressed. Whilst the impact of CO 2 …
Accepted
#16 — Update Airports National Policy Statement with coherent plan, specific environmental limits, and cumulative impacts
Recommendation: The Government should update the Airports National Policy Statement no later than six months after the publication of this report. The updated Statement should: • set out a coherent plan from Government about the airport and aviation system that takes …
Gov response: The review of the ANPS, which commenced in October, will take into consideration changes to legislation, policy and data, and the scheme decision announced in November. It will also ensure that any proposed scheme meets …
Not Addressed
#15 — Airports National Policy Statement unfit for purpose, lacking integrated environmental limits
Recommendation: The Airports National Policy Statement (ANPS) is not fit for purpose and requires updating to reflect Government policy. The ANPS specifically fails to: • Provide an integrated view on the role of the aviation and airport system across the country …
Gov response: The review of the ANPS, which commenced in October, will take into consideration changes to legislation, policy and data, and the scheme decision announced in November. It will also ensure that any proposed scheme meets …
Accepted
#12 — Include specific noise pollution targets for flights within updated Airports National Policy Statement
Recommendation: The Government should ensure that it is actively working to minimise and mitigate all impacts of noise pollution on relevant populations caused through flying. It should also include a target, within the new ANPS, on the level of acceptable noise …
Gov response: As noted in response to recommendation 11, the Government uses carbon markets, such as the UK ETS and CORSIA, to drive decarbonisation of the aviation sector. By pricing CO2 emissions, market-based measures can drive cost-effective …
Under Consideration
#11 — Airports National Policy Statement inadequate in accounting for aircraft noise pollution
Recommendation: The Airports National Policy Statement fails to account for noise pollution. Whilst improvements have been seen in reducing the level of noise made by individual flights, more must be done to minimise the impact on those who live under and …
Gov response: The Government’s policy is to mitigate the impact of aviation noise as much as is practicable and realistic to do – limiting, and where possible reducing, its total adverse impacts on health and quality of …
Not Addressed
#9 — Impose air quality limits around airports and mandate measures for no net pollution increase.
Recommendation: The Government, when updating the Airports National Policy Statement, should impose air quality limits for areas surrounding airports covering all key air quality pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Having established those limits, government should require that any …
Gov response: The Government recognises that aviation has both CO2 emissions and non-CO2 climate impacts that need to be addressed. However, there is significant uncertainty about the interaction of non-CO2 effects with the atmosphere and therefore the …
Under Consideration
#8 — Airport expansion hinders air quality targets; ANPS fails to account for pollution impact.
Recommendation: Whilst air pollution around Heathrow has reduced in recent years due to cleaner aircraft and road vehicles, airport expansion will make it harder for Governments, both national and local, to deliver on air quality targets. The Airports National Policy Statement …
Gov response: As part of the ANPS review, DfT is considering how the Government’s four tests for Heathrow expansion, including air quality, should be set. The review will consider changes in legislation, policy and data since the …
Not Addressed
#3 —
Recommendation: The airspace modernisation programme has the potential to benefit the whole of the UK by making journey times quicker, quieter, and helping to reduce carbon emissions from aviation. We are concerned that this programme, that can offer significant environmental benefits, …
Gov response: This Government values the important role the aviation sector has in the UK, and recognises that maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector is of the upmost importance to the UK, delivering essential connectivity, supporting …
Not Addressed
#21 —
Recommendation: If the Government is to achieve its targets on net-zero aviation, new sustainability policies will be required for the aviation sector, which in turn will require robust regulation. The Government must review how the Civil Aviation Authority’s powers can be …
Gov response: The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport continues to work closely with the CAA in the development of our Jet Zero Strategy, and worked closely with the CAA on the development of …
Under Consideration
#25 —
Recommendation: We reiterate our previous recommendation in our report on Airport Expansion, and that of the Climate Change Committee, that the Government should provide Parliamentary time to legislate to include international aviation emissions within carbon budgets and the UK’s net zero …
Response Pending
#16 — Appoint a dedicated Ministry of Defence climate change director for focused decarbonisation coordination.
Recommendation: The Ministry of Defence should appoint a dedicated climate change director who would be able to fully focus on coordinating carbon reductions across the whole of Defence, including holding separate commands and organisations to account for progress in reducing emissions …
Gov response: . The publication of the MOD’s Climate Change and Strategic Approach in March 2021 started to build momentum for action and a narrative for change. The work of the then- Directorate of Climate Change and …
Not Accepted
#15 — Dual responsibilities for MoD climate change director hinder urgent decarbonisation efforts.
Recommendation: Given increasing scientific concerns around failing to hold to the 1.5° limit on warming and the need for Defence to transition from establishing a comprehensive baseline of carbon emissions in Epoch 1 to significantly reducing emissions in Epoch 2, having …
Gov response: . First Special Report: Defence and Climate Change 11
Under Consideration
#14 — Require Defence organisations to report emissions separately and set 5-year reduction targets.
Recommendation: Nor do the various organisations within Defence separately report their emissions publicly, so gauging progress towards their targets is not yet possible. Top-Level Budget holders and other significant enabling organisations should report their emissions separately starting with the 2023–24 Annual …
Gov response: . As part of the MOD’s commitment to continually improve emissions reporting, it will assess whether Top Level Budget holder organisations and Enabling Organisations emissions should also be reported as part of the Department’s Annual …
Under Consideration
#9 — Measuring total defence carbon emissions provides a gold standard for military reporting.
Recommendation: Measuring and reporting against the total defence carbon emission figure would support both the Government’s agenda of reducing emissions to net zero by 2050, but also provide a gold standard of military emissions reporting for other countries to emulate. Good …
Gov response: . The MOD has been publishing data, in accordance with the HMT Sustainable Reporting Guide, since 2010. This includes reporting on emissions from its estate energy consumption, operational fuel consumption7 and domestic business travel-related emissions …
Not Accepted
#8 — Encourage UN and IPCC to update military emissions reporting and urge NATO transparency.
Recommendation: The Ministry of Defence should work with other UK government partners to encourage the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to update their reporting framework so emissions from military fuel use and …
Gov response: Emissions from military fuel use are included in the UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory (UK NAI) under “1A5b_Other: Mobile”5 and a breakdown of UK military fuel use is reported in the MOD’s Annual Report and …
Accepted
#3 — Undertake research to adapt UK Armed Forces operations for future extreme climatic conditions.
Recommendation: Defence should undertake research and assess best practice from academia, industry, allies and partners on operating in demanding environments and ensure all Defence Lines of Development are suitably adapted to continue to allow UK Armed Forces to operate effectively across …
Gov response: A critical part of the MOD’s approach to Climate Change has been, and will continue to be, proactive engagement and partnering with academia, industry and Allies and Partners. With Allies and Partners, the Department has …
Accepted
#20 — Zero-emission flight shows promising long-term potential for eliminating aviation carbon emissions.
Recommendation: Zero-emission flight represents a very promising long-term prospect for achieving reductions in the CO2 emissions from UK aviation. Unlike the use of SAF, zero- emission flight technologies hold out the promise of eliminating the carbon emissions entailed in aircraft movements. …
Gov response: The UK is also supporting the development of new and zero-carbon emission aircraft technology through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme. The ATI Programme will receive £685 million from the government from 2022 to 2025, …
Not Addressed
#15 — Establish strongest safeguards in UK SAF policy to ensure significant lifecycle emissions savings.
Recommendation: We are concerned that the broad definition of what is currently considered a sustainable fuel, and the absence of a global standard for SAFs, may lead to the development of aviation fuels which cannot credibly be described as sustainable. We …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. The Government’s vision is for the UK to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF, allowing us to grow the sector sustainably and achieve …
Accepted
#13 — Sustainable aviation fuels offer emissions reduction, but reliance on nascent technology is high risk.
Recommendation: Sustainable aviation fuels may offer a means of reducing the carbon emissions attributable to the lifecycle of aviation kerosene from its production to its combustion, and the Government envisions a substantial role for SAFs. There is nevertheless potential for wide …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Government are committed to a data led approach in our policy making and we remain transparent in our modelling towards Jet Zero. We will monitor progress against our emissions …
Accepted
#8 — Significant potential exists for increased operational efficiencies in UK aviation to reduce CO2.
Recommendation: There is evidently significant potential for increased efficiencies across all aviation’s operations which can lead to incremental reductions in CO2 emissions across the UK aviation sector. Efficiencies from fuel use in the current and emergent fleet of aircraft, better use …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. In November 2023 agreement was reached at ICAO’s Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) on a target to reduce emissions from global aviation fuel by 5% by 2030, …
Accepted
#2 —
Recommendation: Aviation connectivity from isolated communities in Scotland is a necessity. Lifeline services are essential for the transport of essential supplies, for the movement of people for medical appointments and key personnel in the energy industry as well as to support …
Gov response: Government’s response: The UK Government shares the Committees view on the importance of good and proactive communication with the devolved administrations. We recognise that the Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted airports across the UK and …
Under Consideration
#22 —
Recommendation: The Government must introduce a market mechanism to support investment in sustainable aviation technologies. The Committee has been investigating market mechanisms that the Government might introduce to scale up alternative fuels in our ongoing inquiry, Fuelling the future: motive power …
Gov response: The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognises that the aviation industry has an important role to play to achieve our net zero targets. In March 2022, the Government announced a record …
Accepted
#19 —
Recommendation: Despite the importance of airspace modernisation, and the relative speed with which it could be introduced compared with other decarbonisation measures, the Airspace Change Organising Group is not a member of the Jet Zero Council. The Committee recommends that the …
Gov response: The Government has noted this recommendation. The Department for Transport recognise the importance of systems efficiencies, including airspace modernisation, to achieving
Under Consideration
#9 —
Recommendation: The maritime sector is global, and the UK cannot regulate it alone. To reach the Government’s net zero target, we welcome the Government’s commitment to live up to its world-leading maritime status and push for the net zero target at …
Gov response: The Government agrees. We will publish the updated Clean Maritime Plan by the end of 2023. The refresh will build on the achievements set out in the original Clean Maritime Plan and the Transport Decarbonisation …
Accepted
#7 — UK's potential global leadership role in military climate adaptation requires significant resources.
Recommendation: Undertaking the role of global leader is not easy. Rear Admiral Paul Beattie, Director Naval Staff, Royal Navy, recently described the measures necessary for climate change adaption in the military as the “… biggest change programme in defence”. He noted …
Gov response: . NATO published its own methodology for accounting for its greenhouse gas emissions following the July 2023 Vilnius Summit. The MOD actively supports this and will remain engaged with NATO initiatives to influence and share …
Under Consideration
#33 — Climate Change Committee urges development of aviation demand management policy and technology options.
Recommendation: The Climate Change Committee has argued that demand-side measures have an important role to play in ensuring that the aviation sector delivers the necessary emissions reductions and that risks in the current approach are mitigated. That Committee has therefore urged …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Accepted
#32 — Government’s high-ambition Jet Zero Strategy carries risk of failing emissions targets.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Addressed
#31 — Aviation emissions reduction faces significant challenges, with carbon costs risking innovation and market distortion.
Recommendation: While we note the ambition shown by the Government and by the aviation industry in proposing technological methods to reduce aviation emissions, we recognise the very significant challenges for the industry in delivering the required reductions, and note that any …
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. In the Jet Zero Strategy, the Government recognises that aviation has both CO emissions and non-CO climate impacts that need to be addressed. Whilst the impact of CO 2 …
Accepted
#30 — Jet Zero Strategy lacks direct policies to discourage flying, relying on indirect measures.
Recommendation: While the Jet Zero Strategy contains measures to influence consumers towards more sustainable choices, and includes carbon pricing measures which will have an indirect effect on demand, it does not include any policy instruments designed to discourage flying in favour …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Addressed
#29 — Jet Zero Strategy prioritises aviation growth over demand management, exceeding CCC recommendations.
Recommendation: We note that UK Ministers have so far ruled out the inclusion of active demand management measures in the Jet Zero Strategy in preference for a policy which promotes the growth of the airline industry following the pandemic. This is …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Addressed
#28 — Aviation demand management is effective but lacks formal modelling in Jet Zero Strategy.
Recommendation: There is considerable dispute over the desirability of policy measures which would reduce UK aviation emissions by reducing the demand for aviation services. The Climate Change Committee has been clear that demand management is the most effective way of reducing …
Gov response: The Government notes this recommendation. The Jet Zero Strategy sets out details on how the aviation sector can achieve net zero without government intervening directly to limit aviation growth. DfT analysis shows that in all …
Not Addressed
#21 — Establish a 2040 target for zero-emission aircraft on essential UK connectivity routes.
Recommendation: 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 …
Gov response: The Government partially agrees with this recommendation. In the Jet Zero Strategy Government committed to ensuring the UK is at the forefront of deploying zero emission aircraft, with an aspiration to have zero emission routes …
Partially Accepted
#17 — Establish comprehensive global regulatory standards for sustainable aviation fuels through ICAO.
Recommendation: We further recommend that Ministers and officials work vigorously at the ICAO and in all other relevant international bodies for the establishment of a global regulatory standard for SAFs which is comprehensive and rigorous.
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. In November 2023 agreement was reached at ICAO’s Third Conference on Aviation Alternative Fuels (CAAF/3) on a target to reduce emissions from global aviation fuel by 5% by 2030, …
Accepted
#11 — Intensify DfT and CAA work on airspace modernisation, prioritising environmental sustainability.
Recommendation: We recommend that the Department for Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority intensify their work on airspace modernisation, bearing in mind the overarching principle of environmental sustainability.
Gov response: The Government agrees with this recommendation. Through the Jet Zero Strategy, we confirmed our intention to accelerate our work to address aviation’s non-CO impacts by better developing our understanding of their impact and potential mitigations. …
Accepted
#10 — Maintain and enhance engagement with aviation for 2% annual CO2 reduction monitoring.
Recommendation: We recommend that the Government sustain and enhance its engagement with the aviation industry on the delivery of operational efficiencies from current and future fleets of aircraft operating through the UK, to maintain the ambition to secure 2% year- on-year …
Gov response: The Government partially agrees with this recommendation. In the Jet Zero Strategy Government committed to ensuring the UK is at the forefront of deploying zero emission aircraft, with an aspiration to have zero emission routes …
Under Consideration