UK AVIATION INDUSTRY IS CONFIDENT AND RESOLUTE THAT THE NATIONAL AVIATION TARGET CAN BE MET WITHOUT NEED FOR LIMITING GROWTH

Limiting emissions is the answer rather than limiting demand        

Letter from industry leaders to Committee on Climate Change and ministers puts forward strategy for achieving goals it has been set 

UK aviation industry appeals to governments meeting in Copenhagen to take global approach and include aviation in robust climate change framework 

The UK’s leading aviation environmental body, Sustainable Aviation, today welcomed the report published by the Committee on Climate Change and pledged again to reduce levels of carbon dioxide emissions substantially in the years ahead.  

   Jill Brady, chair of Sustainable Aviation, commented; “Sustainable Aviation welcomes the report and the long term challenge that it lays down for the industry which we believe we can meet and go beyond. The industry takes extremely seriously its commitment to reduce the environmental impacts of air travel which is why, in its Roadmap published last year, Sustainable Aviation set out its pathway for how we could return CO₂ emissions to lower levels.

   “We look forward to demonstrating to the Committee and the Government how the industry can meet this challenge, without the need to limit demand, through air traffic management and operational efficiencies, technology and fuel efficiency improvements.” 

   In response to suggestions by the Committee that the Government should consider constraining future demand, Jill Brady, commented; “We believe limiting emissions is the answer rather than limiting people’s ability to travel.  Additionally limiting growth in the UK will not deliver emissions reductions globally.  “It is important to recognise aviation holds a key role, not only in providing essential transport links that enable economies to grow, but in bringing important benefits to society, the value of which should not be underestimated.” The Government has already set a target for levels of CO₂ emissions to be brought back down to 2005 levels from all UK domestic and international departing flights by 2050. 

 Jill Brady, continued; “The industry has a proven track record for improving its performance. The past 50 years have seen a 70% improvement in aircraft fuel efficiency, in which the UK is a world leader, and technology will play a central role in achieving further substantial improvements over the next 40.  “We are confident that the UK aviation industry is at the forefront of developing step change solutions which can ensure we can be successful in our goals.”  

  In a letter to Transport Secretary Lord Adonis, Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband and the Chairman of the Committee on Climate Change, Lord Turner, signed by the chief executives of the companies represented by Sustainable Aviation, the industry made this pledge; “Today we stand together again as an industry and confirm our confidence and determination that UK aviation targets will be achieved through;            

  Further advances in engine and airframe technology- Continuing innovation in air traffic management and operational efficiencies; and- Developing lower carbon sustainable fuels which do not compete with food crops and do not lead to deforestation, on which significant progress is being made.” 

  Sustainable Aviation welcomes the fact that the Committee on Climate Change has recognised that a multi-lateral global framework is necessary for successful action on aviation.  Sustainable Aviation has also called on politicians to recognise this. Both climate change and aviation are most effectively and successfully addressed at the international level and Copenhagen presents a unique opportunity for politicians to make important headway on climate change.

   Sustainable Aviation has published a manifesto for Copenhagen, setting out the UK industry’s views on what a successful outcome would look like which has been sent to key Heads of Government attending Copenhagen this week.  Sustainable Aviation represents the UK’s leading airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers and air navigation service providers. Last year Sustainable Aviation unveiled a Roadmap which represents its view on the future trajectory of CO₂ from UK departing flights. The predicted levels will peak in 2020 but would return to 2000 levels by 2050.    

Notes to Editors: Sustainable Aviation Fact Sheet and copy of letter sent to Lord Adonis, Ed Miliband and Lord Turner attached. For broadcast interview requests with Sustainable Aviation please contact Anna Knowles on 01293 747373. For further information please contact David Lewy on 07764 751677 Further information including the roadmap is available at www.sustainableaviation.co.uk