UK government launches consultation on aviation carbon plan to balance sustainability and costs

The UK government has opened a public consultation to explore strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of flights without imposing higher airfares on passengers.

The initiative, led by the Department for Transport (DfT), aims to regulate carbon offsetting in aviation while maintaining affordability and supporting the industry's transition to a greener future.

Agreed upon by approximately 130 countries, CORSIA requires airlines to offset their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on international routes through measures like renewable energy adoption and reforestation projects.

Balancing Carbon Reduction and Passenger Costs

Industry Perspectives

The European Commission has also proposed its own directive under CORSIA, sparking debate over how emissions from business travel should be calculated.

Earlier this year, European business travel group BT4Europe raised concerns about the directive's approach to accounting for business travel emissions.

Consultation Open Until February 2025

The initiative aims to strike a balance between ambitious decarbonization goals and fair pricing for passengers, ensuring sustainable aviation remains accessible to all.