Britain’s aviation sector is setting 10 and 20 year targets to cut carbon emissions in a bid to reinforce its pledge to achieve its net zero CO2 target by 2050. 

UK airlines, airports, manufacturers and air navigation service providers, under the aegis of the Sustainable Aviation alliance, are promising to reduce or offset the sector’s net emissions by 15 per cent in 2030 compared to 2019 levels, and by 40 per cent in 2040.  

However, a substantial proportion of the targets will still have to be met by offsetting schemes or carbon removal technology, which is not yet fully commercialised. The pledge, to be unveiled on Tuesday, comes as the government considers measures to meet its own plan to reduce Britain’s emissions by 78 per cent by 2035 and net zero by 2050. These could include requiring minimum levels of sustainable fuel on every flight. 

Aviation emissions accounted for 7 per cent of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2018, according to the Climate Change Committee.

Guest post from Financial Times