HC Deb 03 April 2003 vol 402 c797W
21. Tom Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will make a statement on the impact on climate change of aviation. [106704]

Mr. Meacher

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has estimated that forcing of the climate due to aviation was responsible for 3.5 per cent. of man-made forcing of the climate in 1992. Forcing due to aviation is projected to grow by between 2.6 and 11 times by 2050. This is projected to be equivalent to 3 per cent. to 15 per cent. of total man-made forcing of the climate in 2050. The aviation industry, like other industries, needs to pay for the environmental damage that it causes, and the Government will shortly be holding discussions with stakeholders on the appropriate use of economic instruments to achieve this.