{"id":9403,"date":"2026-08-04T16:10:53","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:10:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenairnews.com\/?p=9403"},"modified":"2026-08-04T16:10:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T15:10:55","slug":"uk-aviation-group-plots-route-to-net-zero-in-updated-decarbonisation-roadmap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenairnews.com\/?p=9403","title":{"rendered":"UK aviation group plots route to net zero in updated decarbonisation roadmap"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UK cross-industry group Sustainable Aviation has released an updated version of its decarbonisation roadmap for the sector to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 based on several potential scenarios. Its analysis shows that sustainable aviation fuel is expected to remain the single largest driver of emissions reduction, accounting for 65% of total aviation fuel use by 2050 under a central scenario. The target would deliver lifecycle emissions savings of around 80% and contribute around 31% of total decarbonisation. Further carbon reductions would be delivered through fleet renewal (20%), airspace and operational upgrades (4%), and a gradual moderation of demand growth (15%), with GHG removals (GGRs) accounting for the remainder. However, says the group, the reductions will require the right policy environment to be in place.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cWith record numbers of passengers travelling through UK airports, our net emissions continue to fall, demonstrating that UK aviation can continue to grow, connect businesses and take people on holiday while reducing its impact on the environment,\u201d commented Neil Robinson, Chair of Sustainable Aviation on the publication of the new Decarbonisation Road-Map<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group says between 2005 and 2024, UK passenger numbers increased by 28%, while absolute aviation emissions fell by around 1%, with average emissions per passenger reducing by about 22%. Lifecycle emissions savings from the use of SAF had resulted in a net emissions fall of 2.5%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhen including emissions from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme as a \u2018net contribution\u2019 towards overall UK emission reductions delivered through compliance beyond the aviation share of emissions under the UK ETS, this would represent a total net reduction of nearly 13%,\u201d says Sustainable Aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 roadmap shows that while increased use of SAF remains the largest single contributor to emissions reduction compared to its 2023 edition, there is an increased role for greenhouse gas removals. This is primarily due to changes in their expected prices, with SAF having risen since 2023, while those for GGRs having fallen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis illustrates that the decarbonisation pathways are likely to evolve over time as technology and market conditions change,\u201d says Sustainable Aviation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roadmap has adopted a more ambitious position on the contribution of SAF than the UK government is currently taking through its SAF Mandate. \u201c[This] reflects the industry\u2019s commitment to decarbonise as much as possible within the sector, an expectation that over time, a broader range of feedstocks will be available to meet the mandate and that voluntary purchases of SAF may occur above the mandated level,\u201d it says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On operational and air traffic management improvements, Ian Jopson, Director Sustainability at air navigation services company NATS, commented: \u201cWhile some elements of the roadmap will take time to mature, airspace modernisation is already enabling measurable benefits. More efficient flight paths are reducing fuel burn and emissions today, and maintaining momentum will be vital to keeping aviation on track for net zero by 2050.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adds the roadmap report: \u201cAirspace modernisation is a critical enabler of aviation\u2019s future \u2013 supporting growth, improving reliability and reducing emissions today while other decarbonisation solutions become available.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roadmap predicts that aircraft already in service or under construction will deliver around 10% of total decarbonisation by 2050. The next generation of aircraft under development are estimated to deliver 25% efficiency improvements compared to the aircraft they replace, contributing to a further 10% of total decarbonisation by 2050. Hydrogen is still expected to play a significant role in reducing aviation\u2019s impact in the long-term but the new roadmap has reduced its contribution up to 2050.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With the right policy support, says Sustainable Aviation, the industry can accommodate passenger growth of 1.7% a year to 2050, with an expectation that growth will be tempered due to increased ticket prices reflecting the cost of decarbonisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The industry remains committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions, said Robinson. \u201cHowever,\u201d he added, \u201cwe cannot reach this goal alone. To scale the solutions we need, and protect the UK\u2019s global competitiveness, we urgently need the government to match our ambition with decisive policy action and investment certainty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group calls on the UK government to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Focus on keeping SAF costs \u201cas low as reasonably possible\u201d by enabling access to global SAF supply and maximising SAF feedstock availability \u201cwithin robust sustainability guardrails\u201d;
\u2022 Support the development of a UK SAF industry via first-of-a-kind pathfinder projects by finalising the Revenue Certainty Mechanism and accelerating planning approvals for SAF projects;
\u2022 Prioritise the cost competitiveness of UK aviation by developing a robust commercial framework to scale domestic GGR supply at the lowest possible cost and ensuring access to verified international credits;
\u2022 Continue cross-party and regulatory support to maintain momentum on the airspace modernisation programme; and
\u2022 Maintain long-term funding for the Aerospace Technology Institute to sustain UK leadership in aircraft and engine efficiency development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cReaching net zero aviation requires action from the aviation industry, and also from parallel industries in next generation fuels and carbon removals,\u201d said Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation. \u201cWe can deliver net zero aviation if we maintain the strong partnership between the aviation industry, parallel industries and government.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Christopher Surgenor<\/strong>
Editor<\/p>\n\n\n

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