Worldwide aviation emissions should be capped as part of a wider global agreement to tackle climate change, ministers have been told.
Developed countries will need to take the lead in making “significant reductions” in cutting aviation emissions, according to the Committee on Climate Change, set up to advise the government.
This should ensure that emissions are no higher – and possibly lower – than 2005 levels in the period to 2050.
The committee warns that “over time aviation emissions growth will have to be constrained”.
This would come after an interim period where rising aviation emissions are offset by emissions reductions in other sectors.
The recommendations are outlined in a letter to transport secretary Lord Adonis and energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband.
A full report on how the UK can meet the 2050 target to reduce gross aviation emissions back to 2005 levels and the implications for further aviation expansion is to be published on December 8.
CCC chief executive David Kennedy said: “We are calling for a cap that would not require people to fly less than today, but would constrain aviation emissions growth going forward.
“Such a cap together with deep emissions cuts in other sectors would limit the risk of dangerous climate change and the very damaging consequences for people here and in other countries that this would have.”
The recommendations are designed to reduce aviation emissions in line with a global reduction in emissions of all greenhouse gases of 50% by 2050 “in order to stabilise global temperature rise and avoid dangerous climate change”.
The CCC said: “If left unchecked, global aviation emissions could account for 15-20% of all CO2 produced in 2050, contributing to negative impacts associated with global warming. A new and ambitious policy on aviation is therefore required.
“Cutting gross UK aviation emissions in 2050 to 2005 levels together with 90% emissions cuts in other sectors would achieve the required economy wide 80% emissions reduction which has been committed to by the UK under the Climate Change Act.”
by Phil Davies
