Europe’s largest engineers’ body is demanding government legislation to reverse an increase in the level of carbon emissions created by the aviation sector.

As air travel becomes cheaper, emissions from aviation are increasing quickly, according to the European Commission.

In the UK, domestic and international aviation accounted for around six per cent of UK greenhouse gas emissions, or 21 per cent of the transport sector’s emissions.

This compares to 43 per cent emitted by cars, 13 per cent by heavy goods vehicles and seven per cent by domestic and international shipping.

As other sectors decarbonise over the coming decades, aviation emissions are likely to make up an increasingly large proportion of global emissions. The aviation sector is currently responsible for approximately one to two per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The Institution of Engineering and Technology says action must be taken by the Government to further encourage airlines to invest in cleaner, fuel efficient and quieter aircraft, which will dramatically reduce pollution and noise.

Dr Tony Whitehead, IET Director of Policy, said: “Although significant advances in noise and pollution are being addressed by the aviation industry, the Government needs to provide both carrot and stick to push this even further.
 
“The aviation sector is an important and strategic business for the UK and regulation may be required to incentivise airlines to use newer aircraft. Such action would create the right conditions for the industry to confidently invest in long term solutions to meet climate change targets.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Dr Tony Whitehead