FLIGHTS need to be taxed to curb the growth in aviation, climate advisers have warned, as the government prepares to decide on airport expansion plans.

In its latest advice for how to cut greenhouse gas emissions, the climate change committee is urging the government to commit to an 87 per cent cut on 1990 levels by 2040 overall.

Aviation emissions would need to fall by 17 per cent compared with 2023 and the industry must take responsibility for them reaching zero by 2050, it said.