HC Deb 15 December 1998 vol 322 c435W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the Government's target for percentage reduction in emissions from aircraft; and what proportion of the Government's planned 20 per cent. reduction in carbon emissions this constitutes. [63641]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Government are currently consulting on options to reduce their emissions of greenhouse gases and meet their climate change targets. Our consultation paper looks at a wide range of options. It does not propose targets for particular sectors. Our aim is to develop a balanced climate change programme where all sectors play a part.

Only the emissions from domestic flights, beginning and ending within the UK, are included in our national inventory. These account for around 11 per cent. of total emissions from UK originating air traffic. The UK is working within the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which was given the responsibility under the Kyoto Protocol, on ways of reducing emissions from international aviation.