Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment his Department has made of the contribution of the aviation industry to carbon emissions; and what plans his Department has to reduce emissions from the aviation industry.

The Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy provide annual figures on UK greenhouse gas emissions, including those from domestic aviation. International aviation emissions are estimated based on bunker fuel use (this is the fuel used by aircraft when they refuel in the UK), but are not included in UK greenhouse gas accounting. There is currently no internationally agreed method of allocating international aviation carbon emissions between countries.

The Government recognises that the fight against climate change is the greatest and most pressing challenge facing the modern world. International aviation emissions are a global problem that require a global solution. It is vital that we provide UK leadership to find an answer that does not simply displace emissions elsewhere across the globe.

In December 2018, the Government published its Aviation 2050 green paper that supports a range of measures to achieve its 2050 vision, including efficiency improvements in technology, operations and air traffic management, use of renewable fuels and market-based measures.

In addition, the Committee on Climate Change provided the Government with aviation specific advice on 24 September 2019. We are carefully considering this advice and its implications for Government policy and we will shortly publish a consultation on aviation and climate change.