Taxes on flights that increase when people fly further and more often should be introduced to help cut carbon emissions, the UK鈥檚 first citizens鈥� assembly on climate change has recommended.
The final report from Climate Assembly UK also supports a ban on sales of new gas boilers and new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars by 2030 to 2035 to help the UK meet its legal goal to cut emissions to 鈥渘et zero鈥� by mid-century.
The recommendations for tackling climate change from the citizens鈥� assembly also include voluntary reductions in meat and dairy from diets, and planting and managing forests to help soak up excess carbon emissions.
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The group of more than 100 people from across the UK also said the shift to net zero must be fair to people, and allow for freedom and choice where possible for individuals and local areas.
The assembly called for widespread education and information, government leadership and cross-party consensus on the issue.
Climate Assembly UK was commissioned by six parliamentary select committees and asked to examine how the country can meet its legal target to cut greenhouse gases to zero overall by mid-century.
The group, who are representative of the UK population including in their views on climate change, met to learn about, discuss and make informed decisions on options for meeting the net-zero goal.
The assembly was forced to move online to complete its work because of the pandemic, and at its final session participants discussed the impact of the coronavirus outbreak and lockdown on the net-zero target.
An interim report showed strong support for the idea that steps taken by the government to help the economy recover should be designed to help drive down greenhouse gas emissions.
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