Research conducted at the University of Manchester’s Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research has been used to drive policy changes in the shipping and aviation sectors, bringing greenhouse gas emissions targets more in line with the Paris Agreement. Image: Shutterstock Challenging a costly oversight Previously, greenhouse gas emissions from the international aviation and shipping sectors were largely unregulated and considered by many to be unproblematic minor sources. Research led by Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy, highlighted that the aviation sector produces 10 percent of UK CO2 emissions. Without intervention, this is likely to increase to levels incompatible with the UK and global CO2 mitigation targets. The study identified similar challenges within the shipping sector, but highlighted greater potential for finding technical and operational solutions. Larkin concluded that it was necessary to set ambitious CO2 targets for both aviation and shipping, as a matter of urgency. Research, funded by the North West Regional Development Agency, was also conducted to explore the regional distribution of aviation emissions in the UK. Read the full article in DPA’s January 2025 issue