According to the Guardian, leading climate and transport organisations are calling on the UK government to introduce emergency measures to reduce fuel demand. This includes a ban on private jets and a reduction of motorway speed limits to 60 mph in order to reduce fuel demand ahead of a potential supply crisis, linked to the escalating conflict involving Iran.
Climate groups urge ministers to act now to avoid shortages
Anna Krajinska, UK director at Transport & Environment, said the measures were needed to:
“protect our transport system from these unreliable and geopolitically exposed energy sources”.
The groups have proposed a temporary ban on non-essential private jet travel, a reduction in motorway speed limits from 70 mph to 60 mph, a levy on ultra-frequent flyers, and restrictions on short-haul flights where rail alternatives under six hours are available. Campaigners argue these measures would reduce pressure on oil and jet fuel supplies and help mitigate rising petrol prices and potential flight cancellations.
Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, said measures such as lowering speed limits and restricting private jets and short-haul flights would cause:
“minimal inconvenience now” while avoiding more disruptive measures later.
The warning comes amid concerns from aviation and energy analysts about tightening global fuel supplies. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has previously highlighted the aviation sector’s exposure to geopolitical instability and fuel market volatility. IATA data shows airlines carried close to five billion passengers globally in 2025, highlighting the scale of global demand for aviation fuel.
Campaigners call for fuel cuts to protect holidays and curb emissions
According to Greenpeace analysis, a combined package of measures, including a ban on private jets, restrictions on short-haul flights and levies on frequent flyers, could save nearly one million tonnes in jet fuel annually. This is equivalent to around 8% of the UK’s annual jet fuel consumption.
Separate analysis cited by the groups suggests that reducing motorway speed limits by 10 mph could cut road fuel consumption by approximately 1.5%, saving close to half a million tonnes of fuel each year.
The proposals have also received political support from Green Party leader Zack Polanski, who said ordinary families risked losing long-awaited summer holidays. He said temporary restrictions on non-essential private jet travel would help preserve fuel supplies for commercial aviation and reduce disruption for passengers.
Private aviation has faced increasing scrutiny from climate campaigners. Estimates cited by campaign groups suggest private jets produced around 15.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide globally in 2023, with studies indicating they can be several times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights. A UK government spokesperson said ministers were working closely with airlines and fuel suppliers and stressed there were “not currently” any shortages of jet or road fuel.
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