Government panel argues for aviation emissions cap

To achieve a global reduction of 50 per cent in emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2050, the UK may be forced to cut its emissions by 90 per cent by 2050 to give the aviation industry time to adopt low-carbon technologies, the government's adviser on climate change has argued.

In a letter to transport secretary Lord Adonis and energy and climate change secretary Ed Miliband today, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) said the aviation industry should face tougher targets and look for ways to improve its sustainability but that asking consumers to fly less was unrealistic.

"It is vital that an agreement capping global aviation emissions is part of a Copenhagen deal," said David Kennedy, the CCC's chief executive.

"We are calling for a cap that would not require people to fly less than today, but would constrain aviation emissions growth going forward."

But the group admitted that given that the aviation industry, especially in developing nations, is likely to grow in future, the UK and other developed countries will have to cut total emissions by more than previously thought to compensate.

"An interim period where rising aviation emissions are offset by emissions reductions in other sectors would be feasible. Over time, however, aviation emissions growth will have to be constrained," the CCC stated.

The CCC said the aviation industry should aim to cut its emissions to 2005 levels by 2050. The commission also stated that all C02 emissions from aviation should be capped or included in a national emission reduction target.

The letter, issued this week, will be followed by a full report setting out how the aviation industry can meet the 2050 target to reduce gross aviation emissions to 2005 levels. It is due to be published on 8 December to coincide with the UN climate change talks in Copenhagen.

The CCC added that if they were left unchecked, global aviation emissions co uld account for 15 to 20 per cent of all CO2 produced in 2050. "A new and ambitious policy on aviation is therefore required," it stated.

Although aviation was not included in the targets agreed at Kyoto, airlines will be forced to sign up to the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS) in 2011 and could face a bill of more than €1bn (£607m) as a result, according to research released in July.

But despite claims that airlines would pass on the costs of complying with the EU ETS to passengers, Kennedy told the BBC that the impact on customers would be negligible for some time to come.

"Under the current regime it is likely that in about 30 years, taxes would have risen sufficiently to make us think about whether or not we want to take that third long-haul flight of the year," he said.

However, on the issue of the EU ETS, the CCC claims that rather than being given 85 per cent of their emissions targets for nothing as currently proposed, the allowances should be "fully auctioned to prevent windfall profits for airlines".

Commenting on the proposed caps and inclusion of aviation emissions in national targets, Friends of the Earth campaigner Richard Dyer said the CCC was right to call for the aviation industry to play its part in tackling global warming.

"International aviation emissions must be curbed as part of global plans to avoid catastrophic climate change," said Dyer.

"Rich countries must end their obsession with the growth of air travel, agree significant reductions in aviation emissions as part of a global climate agreement in Copenhagen, and ensure that this happens without cheating by carbon offsetting."

Friends of the Earth also made reference to the planned expansion of Heathrow and other airports. "The UK must also take action by reviewing its disastrous aviation policy and scrapping plans to allow UK airports to expand," it said.

As well as urging direct cuts, the Committee said there should be innovations in engine, airframe and fuel technology and that a "funding source for aviation R&D should be identified as part of a deal".

In August, Dr Alan H Epstein, vice president technology and environment at Pratt & Witney, one of the world's largest jet engine manufacturers, said the aviation industry is on target to certify the first jet biofuels for commercial use by 2011.

He said he was confident that the industry's efforts to develop biofuels were on track to attain the official certification new fuels require to be used commercially during 2011.

Air New Zealand and Continental Airlines recently completed test flights using a blend of conventional aviation fuel and a biofuel produced from a crop called Jatropha.

But a report last month from Christian Aid said that the growing global demand for biofuels is leading to widespread deforestation, the displacement of smallhold farmers and abuses of labour rights.