But he said: “We are still explicit that if the industry isn’t investing enough in the alternative technologies, and if we’re beginning to see a big increase in aviation demand, then the Government would have to introduce additional policies to restrict demand, and one of their policies could be for restricting airport capacity.”.
Prof Piers Forster, interim chairman of the committee, said they were being “less prescriptive on the airport capacity” than in their last advice in 2020 – when they warned there could be no net increase in airport capacity.
Mike Childs, Friends of the Earth’s head of policy, said: “Rather than championing aviation expansion, the Government should introduce a frequent flyers levy to curb the excessive flights taken by a minority of wealthy people each year, without harming the annual family holiday.
In its latest advice for how to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the Climate Change Committee is urging the Government to commit to an 87% cut on 1990 levels by 2040 overall, with aviation emissions needing to fall by 17% compared to 2023.
Flights need to be taxed to curb the growth in aviation, climate advisers have warned as the Government prepares to decide on airport expansion plans.
