UK aviation emissions fall by 3%

29th January, 2010

According to statistics published by the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), deliveries of aviation turbine fuel fell in 2008 by 3%. 

In the fourth quarter of 2008, deliveries decreased by 6.2% on the same quarter the prevous year. Total demand in 2008 was 12.25 million tonnes of fuel compared with 12.63 million tonnes in 2007, following a year of peak consumption in 2006.

A reduction of fuel use means a proportionate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. While a reduction in emissions is welcome, it is unfortunate that the aviation industry seems only able to reduce its emissions when there is a fall-off in demand. Unless it does better, there will be continued calls to constrain aviation growth as the only way to contain its climate impact.