 Whilst carbon emissions from all UK activities other than aviation had declined by 9 per cent in the 10 years between 1990 and 2000 , carbon emissions from aviation activities doubled in the same period . Air transport in the UK accounted for 6 @.@ 3 per cent of all UK carbon emissions in 2006 . When the radiative forcing impact of other emissions are taken into account the total impact of emissions attributable to aviation is estimated to be twice that of its carbon emissions alone . Although the government has committed to reducing total UK carbon emissions by 60 per cent from existing levels by 2050 , its policy is based on the use of " … economic instruments to ensure that growing industries are catered for within a reducing total . " Even if this reduction in total carbon emissions is achieved , research published in February 2006 concluded that aviation could account for between 24 per cent and 50 per cent of the UK 's carbon budget by 2050 . 
