Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the implications for his Department's policy on decarbonising UK aviation of the International Council on Clean Transportation report, entitled Mitigating international aviation emissions: Risks and opportunities for alternative jet fuels, published on 22 March 2017.

The Government recognises the need for action at a global level to address CO2 emissions from aviation. To this end, the UK plays a key role in the work of the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organisation, including as an active participant in the development of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. We welcome the publication of the report and we are considering it carefully in relation to this work.

We are also taking action at a national level to encourage the development and supply of lower carbon jet fuels. We have consulted on proposed amendments to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order to include support for the use of sustainable alternative fuels in aviation. We will publish the outcome of the consultation in due course.

We have made £20 million available through the National Productivity Investment Fund to leverage private sector investment to help develop and commercialise alternative fuels. This can reduce the carbon impact of aviation and heavy goods vehicles, and capitalise on the industrial opportunities for growth and jobs.