The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has today announced that
it is to look at how the aviation and shipping sectors can best
achieve net zero emissions.
Shipping and aviation together make up 10% of UK greenhouse gas
emissions, and decarbonising these sectors will play a key role
in achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Aviation is set to be
the largest emitting sector by 2050 on current trends, while the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) warns that carbon
emissions from shipping – responsible for transporting 80% of the
world’s trade – are projected to increase by up to 50% above 2018
levels by 2050 if no action is taken.
During the inquiry, the EAC will be considering a number of areas
which could play a significant role in reducing emissions for the
aviation and shipping sectors. These include: the
commercialisation of new technologies and low, transitioning to
zero, carbon fuels; reductions in demand; and options to drive
international action to lower global emissions from these
sectors.
In its recently published Transport Decarbonisation Plan and Jet
Zero consultation, the UK Government has outlined its ambition
for UK domestic aviation to be net zero by 2040 by driving
innovation and early technology adoption, with a target to reach
net zero aviation emissions by 2050 and a commitment to maritime
net zero as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has also recently unveiled its
‘Fit for 55’ plan which will tax aviation and maritime fuels for
the first time while setting targets on shipping emissions and
sustainable aviation fuels. This is in addition to the expanded
Emissions Trading Scheme covering shipping within the EU from
2023.
Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon MP, launching the EAC’s call for evidence,
said:
“Aviation and shipping make up 10% of the UK’s greenhouse
gas emissions. As we get back to normal after the pandemic, we
must find ways to support the aviation and shipping sectors while
drastically reducing their carbon footprint: it won’t be plain
sailing but failure to do so will never see net zero Britain take
off.
“International shipping transports more than 80% of
global trade, and if no action is taken, its emissions could
double by 2050. There are bold ambitions – unveiled by Government
only last week – for new technology to lower our share of
international aviation’s carbon emissions to net zero by 2050. It
is welcome that the Government has launched serious engagement in
this year of COP26 to include these emissions in developing plans
for Net Zero Britain. But the technical challenges are immense
and we wish to shine a light through this inquiry on the
opportunities and risks in achieving these goals.
“We are inviting written evidence submissions to guide
our inquiry and would encourage anyone concerned about these
issues to consider making a contribution.”
Terms of reference
The Committee is inviting written submissions by 3 September.
These should focus on, but not be limited to:
- What contribution can operational efficiencies make to reduce
emissions from aircraft / shipping vessels and over what
timescale could these have an effect on emissions?
- How close are zero carbon fuels to commercialisation for
aviation / shipping? How effective will the Jet Zero Council be
in catalysing zero emissions technologies? What role should
transitional fuels such as alternative hydrocarbon fuels play?
- What new technologies are there to reduce emissions from
aircraft / shipping vessels and how close to commercialisation
are they?
- How should the Government’s net zero aviation strategy
support UK industry in the development and uptake of
technologies, fuels and infrastructure to deliver net zero
shipping and aviation?
- What is the most equitable way to reduce aircraft passenger
numbers (e.g. reforming air passenger duty and taxes, frequent
flyer levies, bans on domestic flights where trains are
available, restrictions on airport capacity)? Are there any
policy mechanisms that could reduce our reliance on shipping?
- What further action is needed by the International Civil
Aviation Organization and International Maritime Organization to
drive emissions reductions? What can the UK Government do to
drive international action on emissions?
- How effective will the global offsetting scheme for
international airlines (ICAO’s CORSIA) and the UK and EU ETS be
at stimulating technology improvement and/ or behaviour change to
reduce emissions from aviation / shipping?
- How should the UK define its ownership of international
aviation and shipping emissions (i.e. arrivals, departures or
both) in order to include them in legislative targets?
