Committee will consider the future of net-zero aviation

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) will consider the future of hydrogen and electric powered aviation as it continues to take evidence on the Net-Zero Aviation and Shipping Inquiry. 

As well as being responsible for 2.5% of global carbon emissions, aviation accounts for 3.5% of global warming through its impact on ozone, methane, water vapour, soot, sulphur aerosols, and water contrails.

On the first panel, MPs will focus on the current potential of zero-emission flight and the required infrastructure. 

The Committee will hear from Heathrow Airport, Airbus, Government transport innovation agency Connected Places Catapult and Zero Aviva. 

On the second panel, representatives from NGOs Possible and the Aviation Environment Federation will discuss the need for strategies to reduce demand for flights.

In July the Government committed to support the development of new and zero-carbon UK aircraft technology and published its Jet Zero Consultation on the aviation sector reaching net zero by 2050. The consultation proposes no policies encouraging customers to fly less.

In related news, an international group of experts are building an evidence-based simulator to explore the potential scenarios for achieving net-zero flights. 

The Aviation Impact Accelerator (AIA) simulator will capture the whole aviation sector, from the sources of renewable electricity and raw materials to the production and transport of fuel.

This will allow leaders in the industry and government to gain an understanding of the potential for change and the trade-offs between decisions.