The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has set out a new framework encouraging airlines, travel agents and flight comparison platforms to provide passengers with consistent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions information at the point of booking.
Under the proposal, carbon emissions data would be displayed for all flights departing from or arriving at UK airports, with the regulator aiming for widespread adoption by April 2027. The move is intended to improve transparency for consumers while aligning the aviation sector more closely with its long-term decarbonisation objectives.
‘Consumers can make more informed travel choices by accessing clear, consistent and accurate emissions information about the flights they book’, the CAA said. It added that, while some emissions data is already available, ‘this information, which is already available on some flight comparison websites and in other sectors such as rail, should be standardised and comparable.’
The initiative comes as scrutiny of aviation emissions continues to grow, driven by the sector’s commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Internationally, the industry is governed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which sets a global net-zero target for the mid-century and includes an interim goal of cutting emissions by 5% by 2030 through the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
From next year, CORSIA’s mandatory phase will require participating airlines to address any growth in emissions above 85% of a 2019 baseline. Operators will be able to meet these obligations either by using SAF or by purchasing eligible carbon offsets, further increasing the relevance of transparent emissions reporting.
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While several booking platforms already publish emissions estimates, the CAA argues that differing methodologies limit their usefulness. To address this, the regulator is encouraging providers to adopt more detailed calculations that account for factors such as aircraft and fuel type, seat class, passenger load factor, occupancy levels and cargo distribution. The aim is to offer passengers more precise carbon data that allows for meaningful comparisons between flights.
The CAA plans to review airlines and booking platforms in 2027 to assess the level of uptake and consistency across the market. It expects to publish its findings that year and has indicated that it may consider introducing mandatory reporting requirements if voluntary adoption proves insufficient.
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