Aviation Environment Federation (AEF)

UK aviation decarbonisation relies heavily on SAFs, but the Whitehead Review proposed another policy pillar: Greenhouse gas removals (GGRs).

Matt Finch of EcoMatters outlines what this policy could look like:
www.aef.org.uk/2026/01/29/c...

AEF is supporting @protectourwinters.bsky.social campaign to make low-carbon travel the easiest way to reach the outdoors. 🚆🌍

Add your signature to strengthen the case to policymakers for removing barriers and making clean, fair travel the norm 👇👇
form.typeform.com/to/MNg3cvXd#...

Could biofuels meet demand for global aviation? To fuel all of the world’s aviation demand, global biofuels would need to more than triple and be exclusively used for air travel.

AEF thinks there's no place for crop-based biofuels in the UK SAF mandate, + this article from @OurWorldInData shows just one of the reasons - based on the current mix of biofuel crops grown, you’d need between three and six times the area of Germany.
ourworldindata.org/biofuels-dem...

Heathrow’s £49bn third runway ‘a vanity project’, experts warn The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport says the scheme is based on dated assumptions about traveller behaviour and capacity at other London airports

Heathrow expansion plans "based on assumptions about traveller behaviour, airline economics and capacity at other London airports that were more than ten years out of date, and...project is unlikely to be affordable"
www.thetimes.com/business/com...

Airlines target EU climate rules after carmakers showed the way The recent weakening of the ban on gasoline and diesel cars is fueling calls for a similar reversal in the aviation sector.

Is aviation borrowing from the car lobby’s playbook?

Politico reports that all of the green initiatives designed to keep aviation decarbonisation on track are under attack, including the SAF mandate.

www.politico.eu/article/avia...

National security assessment of climate and biodiversity loss: comment Assessment of how global biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse could affect UK national security released by Government.

"It is increasingly evident that our nation’s national security interests rely on moving further and faster towards net zero, to halt climate change and the breaching of dangerous tipping points”, says ECIU's Gareth Redmond-King

eciu.net/media/press-...

When will the polluter start paying in full for the pollution?

@InfluenceMap pinpoints that lobbying to delay the EU Emissions Trading System started nearly 20 years ago, in 2007. Several airlines have also backtracked initial support.
influencemap.org/briefing/The...

We’re half way through the hearing into our legal challenge on Gatwick Airport expansion – and the govt has made a partial concession on one of our grounds: noise. We’re pleased we have secured better protection for local people on this at least.
The case continues.

www.gacc.org.uk/resources/GA...

How to scale up contrail avoidance in Europe? Opportunities for scaling up contrail avoidance in harmony with air traffic management

A new report from @transportenvironment.org finds that flights at night and flight in winter/autumn produce disproportionate warming contrails, offering mitigation opportunities as these periods have lower traffic. www.transportenvironment.org/articles/sca...

Campaigners challenge Gatwick Airport runway plans in High Court A legal challenge is being heard over Gatwick Airport's plans for a second permanent runway.

New Gatwick runway 'profoundly concerning', court told
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Airport Expansion - Aviation Environment Federation There is also ample evidence that despite claims that expanding airports leads to economic growth, the UK has likely reached a point where increasing capacity does not lead to increased …

Want to understand the problem of airport expansion and current Government policy? Take a look at our analysis: 3/3
www.aef.org.uk/what-we-do/a...

We were joined by @cprelondon.bsky.social, @foeint.bsky.social and members of @greenpeace.org, and Lib Dem MP @johnmilnehorsham.bsky.social.

The message is loud and clear: noise impacts can’t be brushed aside and expansion is untenable while aviation emissions continue to climb 📈 2/3

Yesterday the Court began hearing challenges to Gatwick Airport expansion brought by @CAGNE_Gatwick and a local resident working with @GCgatwick.

AEF supports our member groups prioritising environment & community health over unmitigated growth. 1/3

Nature security assessment on global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security This strategic assessment explores how global biodiversity loss and the collapse of critical ecosystems could affect the UK’s resilience, security and prosperity.

A pretty unambiguous top line judgement in the UK's "National security assessment on global ecosystems" report, released today:

"Global ecosystem degradation and collapse threaten UK national security and prosperity" Confidence: high.

Time to speed up action, then?

www.gov.uk/government/p...

Day 2 of the hearing into our legal challenge to Gatwick Airport expansion.

Florence Long of @theaef.bsky.social said: "AEF stands with local campaigners who are challenging the Government's prioritisation of unchecked growth over the UK's climate commitments and public health."

Campaign group @cagnegatwick.bsky.social said the proposals would mean “all the residents who are significantly impacted by aircraft noise, day and night in Gatwick’s case, would not have a voice” 3/3

Paul Beckford of HACAN East added that recent consultations were “the worst example of a tick-box exercise”. “They are burning community engagement and environmental regulation on the altar of economic growth. It’s woeful.” 2/3

UK aviation reforms could sideline public input over flight paths, campaigners warn Plans to speed up airspace changes for Heathrow expansion could mean industry influences decisions on noise and routes

UK airspace reform could sideline public input: Charles Lloyd of AEF's Airspace & Noise Community Forum said “Local residents are just beginning to wake up to the realisation that they will have almost no meaningful voice at every stage in the .. process” 1/3
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

This morning, I joined resident Sally Pavey and others from CAGNE outside the Royal Courts of Justice as the legal challenge to Gatwick’s second runway begins.

This expansion raises serious questions about climate commitments, noise, public transport capacity, and the impact on local communities.

Number of UK newspaper editorials arguing for more (blue) and less (red) climate action, 2011-2025. Some editorials also present a “balanced” view, which is categorised as advocating for neither “more” nor “less” climate action. These editorials are not represented in this chart. Source: Carbon Brief analysis.

NEW – Analysis: UK newspaper editorial opposition to climate action overtakes support for first time | @joshgabbatiss.bsky.social @sylviahayes.bsky.social

Read here: buff.ly/eAPkvkx

“Amid evidence of rising emissions, the aviation industry continues to promote demand growth while offering long-term sustainability reassurances communicated as ‘facts’ ” which ultimately seek to “ease public concern and postpone regulation.”

ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid...

On the subject of the UK ETS, check out our analysis on the implications of ending free allocation of allowances for UK regional connectivity. 2/2
www.aef.org.uk/2026/01/14/a...

EU, UK to start carbon market negotiations next week The European Union and Britain will launch negotiations next week on linking their carbon emissions trading systems, the EU's climate commissioner told Reuters.

Brussels have signalled that negotiations on aligning the UK’s and EU’s carbon markets are due to start.

With both systems treating aviation differently, this negotiation will be closely followed 👀 1/2
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...

Scottish Budget: Private jet tax introduced and peak ferry fares axed New rail station at Winchburgh to be “delivered”

Starting in 2028, the Scottish Government said it will introduce a supplement to departure taxes for private jets so passengers “pay a fair share for that privilege” 👏 👏
www.scotsman.com/news/transpo...

Our first thoughts on today's #ScotBudget:

"We’re pleased to see the introduction of a private jet tax. We now need the government to build on this move towards fairer pricing for the most polluting mode of transport by tackling frequent flyers and reducing short haul domestic flights."

Heathrow third runway: Ministers admit eco-fuel target key to expansion may be missed The Government has backed a bigger Heathrow and is now deciding how tests on economic growth, air quality, noise and climate change should be set

To be clear, the Government knew before they encouraged Heathrow expansion that SAF delivery would be hard.

We know this because we told them. And so did the community groups around airports, the aviation industry and numerous other organisations.
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

Cognitive dissonance?

IATA, the largest aviation trade association, has ranked climate change as the biggest threat to the industry. Specifically, the related physical risks and costs.
skift.com/2026/01/12/a...

World’s richest 1% have already used fair share of emissions for 2026, says Oxfam Richest 1% took 10 days while wealthiest 0.1% needed just three days to exhaust annual carbon budget, study shows

10 days into 2026, the richest 1% have already used their fair share of the carbon budget.
@bethrjohn: Taxing the biggest polluters—private jets, oil & gas—can fund a fairer, greener future. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

From noise to heart disease: European Environment Agency sounds the alarm for Europe 2025 In their recent report, the European Environment Agency’s (EEA) Environmental Noise in Europe 2025 report delivers an urgent message: transport noise is a

In their recent report, the European Environment Agency delivers an urgent message: transport noise is a major cardiovascular risk factor with significant public health, environmental, and economic consequences.

academic.oup.com/eurheartj/ad...

Trump’s shadow looms over EU aviation emissions plan “God only knows what the Trump administration will do” if the EU expands its aviation emissions scheme, an EU official says.

Does a carbon tax on aviation need to be applied globally in order to work?

Politico reports concerns that Trump will undermine plans to expand the EU ETS by refusing to allow it to expand to cover international flights, including to the US.
www.politico.eu/article/dona...