Leading climate and transport organisations, including Greenpeace and Transport and Environment, are calling on UK ministers to take pre-emptive action to avert a looming fuel supply crisis. Their proposals include banning private jets and reducing the speed limit on motorways to 60mph.
Campaigners Warn of 'Sleepwalking into Crisis'
The group warns that without immediate measures, the UK could face severe shortages of jet fuel and spiralling petrol prices in the coming months. They urge the government to lower oil demand in a fair and orderly manner, rather than waiting for the crisis to escalate.
Doug Parr, chief scientist at Greenpeace UK, stated: “Measures like lowering speed limits and banning private jets and short-haul flights would cause minimal inconvenience now and avoid much more painful decisions later on. By getting ahead of the problem, ministers can not only soften the blow for UK drivers and passengers – they can also cut climate emissions and put fairness at the heart of this crisis response.”
Private Jet Ban Backed by Green Party
Green Party leader Zack Polanski supported the idea, highlighting that many British families face cancelled flights due to “Trump’s illegal war in Iran.” He said: “While ordinary people pay the price, the super rich are simply getting in their private jets at will – wasting huge amounts of jet fuel on unnecessary trips. The government should act now: put in place a temporary ban on non-essential private jet travel to save the summer holiday for the families who have worked hard to save for it.”
Global Context and UK Vulnerability
The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, warned that the US-led war in Iran could have an impact comparable to the 1970s oil shocks and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Countries worldwide are already experiencing rising fuel costs, and analysts note that the UK is particularly exposed to jet fuel shortages, with a real risk of rationing just before the busy summer holiday season.
Many governments have introduced measures such as fuel rationing, limiting car journeys, cutting fuel tax, or accelerating renewable energy adoption. Pakistan has reduced motorway speed limits, and Laos is encouraging working from home.
Proposed Measures and Potential Savings
The coalition—including Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, Transport and Environment, Possible, and Safe Landing—also calls for a levy on ultra-frequent flyers and short-haul flights that could be replaced by train journeys under six hours.
A Greenpeace analysis indicates that combining a private jet ban, a levy on frequent flyers, and restrictions on short-haul flights could save nearly one million tonnes of jet fuel annually, equivalent to 8% of the UK’s annual consumption. Separately, reducing the motorway speed limit by 10mph could save nearly half a million tonnes of fuel, or 1.5% of road transport fuel use.
Anna Krajinska, UK director at Transport and Environment, argued that these measures are essential to “protect our transport system from these unreliable and geopolitically exposed energy sources.” She added that the crisis exposes a “hard truth” that “the UK remains dangerously dependent on volatile fossil fuels.”
“The long-term solution is clear: the UK must accelerate the shift to new technologies, from electric vehicles to zero-emission aviation. Breaking free from fossil fuels won’t just cut emissions, it will deliver a more resilient, secure and prosperous future,” she said.
Government Response
A UK government spokesperson said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet or road fuel. We know people value their hard-earned holidays, especially as summer approaches, and we are working closely with industry to keep flights operating and help airlines plan ahead.”
“While we are not planning to change motorway speed limits, and private aviation accounts for a small proportion of total fuel use, our contingency plans include all options for fuel prioritisation if needed,” the spokesperson added.
