What does the CAA’s new environmental information framework mean for airlines?

On 5 February 2026, the CAA published its new framework for the implementation of standardised consumer environmental information (CAP 3112). 

The framework draws upon industry responses to the CAA's previous call for evidence and consultation on the topic in 2023 and 2024 respectively. It aims to ensure that consumers are provided with clear and consistent emissions information at the point of searching for and booking their flights and reflects the wider regulatory drive to provide UK consumers with clearer pre-purchase information.

Who is in scope of the framework?

The framework has a broad scope. It applies to all flights sold or advertised in the UK that depart from or arrive at UK airports. It covers both airlines and booking platforms. This means that the framework will apply to effectively all airlines operating in the UK.

What is expected from airlines?

The framework updates the CAA’s Consumer Environmental Information Principles. It does not set out specific requirements as to precisely how data should be presented, but instead provides broad guidelines as to how emissions information should be reported. 

In summary, such information should be:

1. Accessible – Emissions information should be easy to locate without navigating multiple sub‑pages and should be accessible to users requiring adjustments (e.g., screen‑reader compatibility).
2. Transparent – Consumers should be able to understand how emissions information has been calculated, including by being able to understand what methodologies have been used and how data has been gathered (this information can be provided in a linked webpage).
3. Accountable and accurate – Publishers must take reasonable care to ensure the accuracy of the information provided.
4. Specific – CO₂ or CO₂e estimates must be calculated using input data that most accurately represents a given route, aircraft, and capacity (including aircraft and engine type, flight distance, seat class, occupancy, passenger load and belly cargo) to provide consumers with a granular level of detail tailored to their choices.
5. Timely – The CAA requires best endeavours to be used to keep the data as recent as possible and suggests that it should be updated at least annually.
6. Consistent – Consumers should not see different environmental information applicable to the same flight on different platforms; this means that booking platforms should ensure that their data is consistent with the data published by the relevant airlines.
7. Standardised – Information must meet minimum standards to ensure consistency across the industry.
8. Comparable – Consumers should be able to compare information across different airlines and publishers, meaning that similar metrics should be used.
9. Comprehensive – A new principle requiring publishers to use best endeavours to include information on the impact of an airline’s use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for a given flight or route.
10. Subject to continuous improvement – The framework supports ongoing enhancements to both published information and industry sustainability performance.

Emissions data should be calculated using internationally recognised methodologies, such as DESNZ estimates for UK aviation emissions.

What is the timeframe for implementation?

The new framework does not come into effect immediately. The CAA expects airlines and other relevant organisations to work towards implementing the updated approach by 30 April 2027.

Will airlines and booking platforms face any consequences for non‑compliance?

Compliance with the framework is not currently mandatory and the CAA will not take enforcement action against organisations that do not meet the expectations by the deadline. However, this position may well change following the CAA’s review of how airlines and booking platforms have implemented the framework, particularly if consumer-facing information does not comply with the stated principles.

Where organisations do not meet expectations, the CAA reserves the right to gather and publish the relevant data itself using its powers under section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act 2012. 

As efforts continue towards the achievement of Jet Zero, environmental data is understandably an area of increasing importance for UK aviation. It is therefore no surprise that the CAA has been very active in this area in recent months. You can read our previous insights on the CAA’s implementation of its environmental reporting duties here: Plotting a greener flight path: the CAA publishes revised roadmap for the UK Aviation Environmental Review - Burges Salmon and A first look at the CAA’s UK Aviation Environmental Review 2025: is UK aviation on track for Net Zero? - Burges Salmon.

If you would like further information about the framework, or would like to understand more about how it will affect your organisation, please contact Chloe Challinor, Patrick Bettle, or your usual contact in the Burges Salmon aviation team.

This article was written by Patrick Bettle and Beata Kolodziej.