UK government revises aviation emissions forecast 50% higher through 2050

The UK acknowledged that electric aircraft and sustainable aviation fuels will contribute less to decarbonization than previously estimated, significantly raising projected aviation emissions in its climate planning.

First covered Sep 10, 2026 · 3:42 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

UK government revises aviation emissions forecast 50% higher through 2050 — Image via carbonbrief.org

Coverage

16d Carbon Brief UK aviation emissions to be 50% higher than thought by 2050, government admits — The UK government has slashed its hopes for electric planes and “sustainable aviation fuels” (SAFs), ahead of giving the green… The post UK aviation emissions…

Primary sources

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk Heathrow Expansion Appraisal Report Hear (assets.publishing.service.gov.uk)

royalsociety.org Net Zero Aviation Fuels Policy Briefing (royalsociety.org)

unfccc.int About Carbon Pricing (unfccc.int)

More coverage from around the web

greenairnews.com Aviation likely to be the UK’s leading emitter by 2040, forecasts Climate Change Committee

theccc.org.uk Meeting the UK aviation target – options for reducing emissions to 2050

commonslibrary.parliament.uk Aviation and climate change - The House of Commons Library

publications.parliament.uk Net zero and the UK aviation sector - Environmental Audit Committee

committees.parliament.uk About Sustainable Aviation

Appeared in: 2026-09-11 (#17)

← Back to the brief