As the UK charts its path toward Net Zero, the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) Seventh Carbon Budget (2038-2042) provides a critical framework for government and industry action. With electrification leading emissions reduction efforts across sectors, aviation remains one of the UK’s highest emitting industries by 2040, alongside agriculture.
This keynote will break down the CCC’s Balanced Pathway for aviation, outlining the key measures needed to align the sector with the UK’s Net Zero commitments. From demand management and efficiency improvements to the role of sustainable aviation fuels and emerging zero emission technologies, the session will explore the projected impact of each pathway component.
Crucially, the address will examine the policy and market mechanisms required to ensure the cost of decarbonisation is reflected in the price of flying, while also highlighting the uncertainties in aviation demand and sector-wide transformation. With international frameworks such as ICAO and CORSIA under scrutiny, this keynote will set the stage for discussions on the UK’s leadership role in global aviation decarbonisation and the urgent need for strengthened policies, non-CO2 emissions targets, and robust contingency planning.