Meeting the UK aviation target – options for reducing emissions to 2050

This report sets out the Committee’s  assessment of options for reducing UK aviation emissions up to 2050.

In January 2009 the Government adopted a target to reduce UK aviation emissions back to 2005 levels in 2050 alongside its decision to support expansion of Heathrow airport. Together with deep cuts in other sectors, this would achieve the UK’s legislated economy-wide greenhouse gas (GHG) target to reduce emissions by 80% in 2050 relative to 1990 without the need to rely on purchase of credits in the global carbon market.

The Committee was requested by the Government “to assess scope for [emissions] reductions, including from improvements in technology and the effect of appropriate policy levers; and the implications of further aviation expansion beyond 2020”.

• Full report
• Executive summary
• Press release
• Presentation

The Government published a response to this report on 25 August 2011.

Download individual chapters of the report

• Chapter 1: Background and methodology for the review of UK aviation emissions
• Chapter 2: Reference demand and emissions projections
• Chapter 3: Alternatives to air travel – high-speed rail and videoconferencing
• Chapter 4: Fleet efficiency improvement through technology innovation
• Chapter 5: Use of biofuels and other alternative energy sources in aviation
• Chapter 6: Non-CO2 climate effects of aviation
• Chapter 7: Meeting the 2050 target

Supporting data

The data set which was used to produce the exhibits published in “Meeting the UK Aviation target – options for reducing emissions to 2050” are available to download and view by chapter below.

• Executive summary
• Chapter 1 – Background and methodology for the review of UK aviation emissions
• Chapter 2 – Reference demand and emissions projections
• Chapter 3 – Alternatives to air travel – high-speed rail and videoconferencing
• Chapter 4 – Fleet efficiency improvement through technology innovation
• Chapter 5 – Use of biofuels and other alternative energy sources in aviation
• Chapter 6 – Non-CO2 climate effects of aviation
• Chapter 7: Meeting the 2050 target

Supporting research

The CCC commissioned research from a number of consultants to inform its advice on meeting the UK Aviation target. Consultant’s reports are listed below according to the chapter that they support and can be accessed and downloaded by clicking on the relevant link.

• Chapter 2 – MVA (2009) “UK aviation demand and emissions – model methodology note”
• Chapter 3 – DG (2009) “Potential for modal shift from air to rail for UK aviation”
• Chapter 5 – E4tech (2009) “Review of the potential for biofuels in aviation”

The report also makes reference to the following report:

• QinetiQ (2008) “Aviation CO₂ emissions abatement potential from technology innovation”