The UK Government has developed sector specific decarbonisation strategies in support of the UK’s legally binding target to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The UK’s aviation specific decarbonisation strategies are outlined below.
Jet Zero Strategy
In July 2022, the UK Government published the Jet Zero Strategy which outlines the Government’s approach to delivering net zero aviation by 2050. The commitments made in the Strategy have been incorporated into the Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan.
In July 2023, the DfT published the Jet Zero Strategy One Year On which updated the High Ambition Scenario outlined in the Jet Zero Strategy to reflect the latest macroeconomic conditions.
Jet Zero Taskforce
Formed in 2024, the Jet Zero Taskforce (JZT) is a partnership between industry and Government that brings together senior leaders in aviation, aerospace, and academia to provide strategic leadership and drive the development of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions. Building on the previous Jet Zero Council, the objectives of the JZT are to:
- Support the development, production, commercialisation and use of sustainable aviation fuels in the UK and globally.
- Facilitate the development and deployment of zero emission aircraft in the UK, including through unlocking regulatory, infrastructure and commercialisation barriers.
- Explore opportunities to make efficiency gains in reducing carbon emissions across the whole UK aviation system, including through development and deployment of more efficient aircraft, and the potential for greater operational efficiencies.
- Consider the aviation sector’s future demand for energy, feedstocks, hydrogen and greenhouse gas removals.
- Recognise that aviation has significant non-CO2 impacts on the climate, with further work required to strengthen our scientific understanding and develop approaches to mitigate their impact.