Aviation emissions in the United Kingdom from domestic and international flights more than doubled between 1990 and 2019, to 36 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e). The following year saw UK aviation emissions plummet roughly 57 percent due to travel restrictions brought on by the outbreak of COVID-19. The aviation industry continued to be impacted in 2021, with emissions declining further. Although a sharp rebound in emissions was observed in 2022 as restrictions eased, they remained below pre-pandemic levels.
The UK government has outlined plans to cut aviation emissions in order to achieve the country's net zero emissions target by 2050.
Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
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GOV.UK, & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). (February 6, 2025). Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/
GOV.UK, und Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). "Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. February 6, 2025. Statista. Accessed June 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/
GOV.UK, Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). (2025). Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 11, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/
GOV.UK, and Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK). "Greenhouse Gas Emissions from International and Domestic Aviation in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 1990 to 2023 (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 6 Feb 2025, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/
GOV.UK & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK), Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/ (last visited June 11, 2025)
Greenhouse gas emissions from international and domestic aviation in the United Kingdom (UK) from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], GOV.UK, & Department for Energy Security and Net-Zero (UK), February 6, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1301385/greenhouse-gas-emissions-international-domestic-aviation-uk/
