Jet Zero under Judicial Review in High Court
The UK Government’s policy for achieving net-zero Aviation by 2050 comes under scrutiny.
The four-day, rolled-up review, which challenges the lawfulness of the Jet Zero Strategy is being heard in the High Court this week..
Three separate claims have been submitted by two claimants, Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) and Possible, an activist group seeking a zero-carbon society, built by and for the people of the UK. They are being represented by lawyers Cornerstone Barristers.
The arguments focus on the consultation process leading up to the policy’s adoption, the government’s approach to demand management and non-CO2 emissions, and the public-sector equality duty.
GALBA is a community group of concerned residents from West Yorkshire and beyond who want to prevent the expansion of the Leeds Bradford Airport, and all other airports, for reasons related to environmental damage.
The group emphasises that aviation must contribute to decarbonising the economy, particularly as it is estimated that 1% of the most frequent fliers account for more than half of passenger air transport carbon emissions.
It argues that the Jet Zero Strategy was unlawfully adopted because key options – such as limiting demand for flying – were ruled out before the public was consulted, and climate change concerns were not properly considered.
One main criticism is that the strategy overrelies on unproven technologies and carbon offsetting, while avoiding any action to manage demand.
The UK's Climate Change Committee has repeatedly warned that unless the increase in demand is limited to, at most, 25% above 2019 levels, the UK will miss its climate targets.
Yet, the strategy assumes aviation can keep growing without directly tackling emissions from increased flying.
The Secretary of State accepts that a 'red line' approach was taken to demand management, but contends that was a lawful approach to the consultation process.
