Planes, Ships… and Now the Climate Ledger: Emissions Finally Counted

MPs have welcomed a move by the government to formally include emissions from aviation and shipping within the UK’s climate targets, marking a shift towards greater accountability in how transport emissions are measured.

In a letter published on 22 April, Climate Minister Katie White confirmed that legislation has been put forward to bring the UK’s share of international aviation and shipping emissions into future carbon budgets. The change follows recommendations from the Climate Change Committee and aims to ensure these sectors are fully considered in long-term decarbonisation plans.

Under the proposal, emissions from international aviation and shipping will be incorporated into the Sixth Carbon Budget (2033–37), as well as all future budgets and the UK’s overarching net zero target.

White noted that while the move does not alter the current level of legally binding climate targets, it ensures these emissions are “accounted for consistently” alongside other major sources as part of a whole-economy approach to reaching net zero between 2033 and 2050.

Transport Committee chair Ruth Cadbury described the inclusion as an important step forward, particularly in improving transparency. However, she also highlighted ongoing concerns around the speed at which emissions from these sectors are being reduced.

Aviation and maritime transport are widely recognised as some of the most challenging areas to decarbonise. Historically, emissions from international flights and shipping have been treated separately from domestic targets, but this update brings them into alignment with the UK’s legally binding carbon budgets under the Climate Change Act.

The change is expected to have wider implications for future transport policy, with government departments now required to factor in these emissions more directly. This could influence decisions on areas such as airport expansion, port development and freight logistics as the UK continues its push towards net zero.