Ministers urged to cap aviation emissions

The government should join other developed countries in taking steps to cut aviation emissions back to 2005 levels over the next 40 years, it has been claimed.

Ministers had requested advice on ways to reduce emissions from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) ahead of the UN summit in Copenhagen.

The recommendations to reduce emissions in the sector were outlined in a letter from the CCC to the secretary of state for transport Lord Adonis.

CCC chief executive David Kennedy said that an agreement over capping is 'vital'.

He said: 'We are calling for a cap that would not require people to fly less than today, but would constrain aviation emissions growth going forward.

'Such a cap together with deep emissions cuts in other sectors would limit the risk of dangerous climate change.'

The government has already signalled its support for the expansion of the UK aviation industry, having overseen the construction of Heathrow Terminal 5 and plans to build a third runway at the London airport.