The UK AER is required to contain recommendations on how to improve the level of environmental protection in the area of civil aviation in the UK to aid the industry’s journey to better environmental performance and more sustainable operations. The recommendations set out in this section are focused on noise, local air quality and climate change, and align with existing Government policy. The CAA intends to further clarify the scope and content of these recommendations in 2026.
Overarching Recommendations
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The CAA recommends that further research is conducted into the environmental impacts associated with new and emerging technology so that future environmental policy is informed by an extensive evidence base.
- The CAA recommends that Devolved Administrations and central Government continue to coordinate effectively with one another so that, where applicable, environmental policy commitments set across the UK’s devolved functions can be realised.
Noise
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The CAA recommend that existing noise exposure reduction measures and guidance are regularly reviewed to ensure the Government’s overall objective regarding aviation noise is most effectively met.
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The CAA recommend that the long-term noise performance of the sector is tracked to better understand how noise impacts are changing over time.
Local Air Quality
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The CAA recommend that the monitoring of air pollution, including ultrafine particles, is continually improved upon so that aviation’s impact on local air quality can be better understood.
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To improve impacts upon local air quality the CAA recommend that Government, local authorities, industry and other interested stakeholders work together to improve surface access at airports through the development of masterplans and strategies.
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The CAA recommend that sufficient support is provided to industry with respect to the development of novel fuels so that the air quality impacts associated with aviation fuels can be minimised.
Climate Change
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The CAA recommends that the Jet Zero Strategy and associated emissions forecasts are reviewed at least every five years to account for new research and technological advancements. In addition, it is recommended that the Jet Zero Strategy emissions forecasts are regularly reviewed to ensure that policy measures are delivering the intended emissions reductions.
- The CAA recommends that work continues to ensure that a Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) mandate comes into force by 2025, alongside ensuring that sufficient support is provided with respect to SAF development. In addition, it is recommended that all parts of Government work together to pioneer the accelerated procurement and use of SAF.
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The CAA recommends that national and international compliance to reporting of CO2 emissions for domestic and international aviation that falls under the UK Emissions Trading Scheme and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) are more closely aligned where appropriate. Should this recommendation be adopted, to exercise the duty outlined in Air Navigation (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) Order 2021, Section 15, the CAA would explore potential for oversight of such compliance.
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The CAA recommends that research and investment into the development of greenhouse gas removals technologies is continued.
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The CAA recommends that stakeholders continue to support ongoing consultation and engagement regarding the CAA’s consumer environmental information project to ensure that in due course consumers are able to access comparable, understandable and accurate environmental information when looking for and booking flights.
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The CAA recommends that work is continued to further understanding of impacts associated with non-CO2 emissions so that potential mitigation measures, and the Jet Zero Strategy, can be better informed.
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To improve impacts upon climate change the CAA recommend that government, the Devolved Administrations, local authorities, industry and other interested stakeholders work together to improve surface access at airports through the development of master plans and strategies.