The airline industry has been targeted by the Committee of Climate Change in its latest report to the Government.
The committee advised that greenhouse gas emissions from international flights, and also shipping, should be included in the UK’s carbon budgets.
It said the two industries are major sources of pollution and carbon budgets up to 2027 should be increased to allow for their emissions.
At present, international flights and shipping are not included in the targets.
The government has until the end of 2012 to decide whether to include them.
The UK has pledged to cut its climate-changing emissions by 80%, based on 1990 levels, by 2050.
The committee’s chief executive David Kennedy said: “At the moment there’s uncertainty over how aviation or shipping emissions will be treated in the future.
“There isn’t any valid reason why the government should reject the advice we’re giving, and if they were to do so, that would be a rolling back in terms of commitments on building a low-carbon economy.”
But he said the UK should not try to reduce emissions from the two industries, which could hurt the country’s competitiveness.
“If you have draconian policies, people will take a short-haul flight to Holland, France or Germany and get on their long-haul flight,” he said.
“There wouldn’t be a very well-connected economy and will you get inward investment from international companies?”
