The UK aviation sector has outlined new steps to support the development of greenhouse gas removals (GGRs) and to address the climate impacts of non-CO₂ emissions. The plans were presented by Sustainable Aviation at the Sustainable Skies World Summit on 17 March 2026, bringing together industry efforts aligned with net zero by 2050.
Sustainable Aviation represents a coalition of airlines, airports, aerospace manufacturers, fuel producers and international partners. The group confirmed that members will work collectively to stimulate early demand for GGRs, while also advancing research and operational measures to tackle emissions beyond carbon dioxide.
A central element of the announcement is the launch of an Advanced Market Signal, described as a first-of-its-kind initiative within a specific sector. Through this mechanism, members will invest more than £2 million to purchase GGR credits, supporting early-stage market development and demonstrating demand for carbon removal solutions.
The initiative is positioned as a proof-of-concept designed to be scaled over time. It reflects a coordinated approach from the aviation sector to address residual emissions that are difficult to eliminate through existing technologies and operational changes.
Sustainable Aviation’s publication also sets out the conditions required to expand GGR capacity in the UK. This includes the role of policy frameworks and government support in enabling deployment at the scale required to meet national decarbonisation targets.
By 2050, the UK aviation sector is expected to require between 20 and 30 million tonnes of greenhouse gas removals each year to balance remaining emissions. Aviation is one of several hard-to-abate sectors expected to rely on GGRs, alongside industries such as heavy manufacturing and energy.
The organisation emphasised that carbon removals form part of a broader decarbonisation pathway. Other measures identified include airspace modernisation, next generation aircraft, zero-carbon flight technologies, hydrogen and the increased use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Alongside its focus on removals, Sustainable Aviation published a separate position paper addressing non-CO₂ emissions. These include impacts from contrails and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to aviation’s overall warming effect.
The paper outlines four areas of action intended to guide industry activity. These include improving the use of real-time data through onboard sensors, prioritising Sustainable Aviation Fuel on long-haul routes, testing flight path adjustments to avoid contrail formation, and working with scientific experts to improve measurement and mitigation approaches.
Non-CO₂ effects are recognised as a contributing factor to aviation’s total climate impact. The proposed measures are intended to support more informed decision-making and coordinated trials across the sector.
The position paper also sets out principles to guide collaboration across industry stakeholders. It is intended to inform how mitigation options are assessed and how evidence is developed to support future policy and operational decisions.
These announcements form part of a wider programme linked to the UK Government’s Jet Zero Taskforce. The taskforce brings together industry and policymakers to address barriers to decarbonisation, while supporting innovation, employment and economic activity.
Duncan McCourt, Chief Executive of Sustainable Aviation, said: “The UK aviation industry is working hard to address its climate impact.
“Scaling Greenhouse Gas Removals is essential for hard-to-abate sectors, and this Advanced Market Signal is the aviation industry acting now to help stimulate the growth of the GGR sector.
“We have also made clear today that the aviation industry supports action to address the non-CO₂ impact of aviation. By accelerating research, trials, and collaboration, we can deliver practical solutions that reduce aviation’s full climate impact.”
The combination of market-based mechanisms and operational measures reflects a dual approach to emissions reduction. While carbon removals are expected to play a role in addressing residual emissions, efforts to reduce emissions at source remain a priority across the sector.
Industry coordination is expected to be a key factor in scaling both GGR technologies and non-CO₂ mitigation strategies. The use of shared data, joint trials and aligned methodologies is intended to improve consistency and reduce uncertainty in emerging areas of research.
The development of GGR markets is still at an early stage, with limited supply and evolving standards. Initiatives such as the Advanced Market Signal are designed to provide early demand signals, which may support investment and technology development.
At the same time, non-CO₂ emissions remain an area of ongoing scientific study. The complexity of atmospheric interactions means that measurement and mitigation approaches are still being refined, with collaboration between industry and academia identified as a necessary step.
Sustainable Aviation’s latest publications set out how the sector intends to contribute to these areas. They also signal the need for continued alignment between industry action and government policy to enable progress at scale.
As the UK aviation sector works towards its net zero target, the integration of multiple solutions is expected to shape its pathway. This includes a combination of technological development, operational change and market-based mechanisms such as greenhouse gas removals.
