Airlines were the biggest carbon emitters in four European countries last year and were among the top 10 emitters in another 12, the latest analysis of EU emissions data shows. The data shows that airlines are increasingly occupying the top positions previously dominated by coal and heavy industry.
In 2018 EasyJet emitted most in the UK, Ryanair in Ireland, Norwegian in Norway, and SAS in Sweden under the EU’s emissions trading system. That’s according to T&E analysis of data from the EU emissions trading system (ETS), which covers emissions from flights within Europe and from the industrial and power sectors. Last month it was revealed that Ryanair had become the first airline to enter the top 10 carbon emitters EU-wide.
T&E’s aviation manager, Andrew Murphy, said: ‘Airlines are the new coal. Given how under-taxed and under-regulated the aviation sector is, it comes as no surprise that they are in the top 10 emitters. Unlike cars, trucks, vans and trains, airlines pay no tax on their fuel and have no limit on their emissions growth. EU governments needs to end the kerosene tax holiday and demand real emissions cuts from aviation.’
Airlines are the biggest carbon emitters in four European countries
Airlines were the biggest carbon emitters in four European countries last year and were among the top 10 emitters in another 12, the latest analysis of EU emissions data shows. The data shows that airlines are increasingly occupying the top positions previously dominated by coal and heavy industry.
Airlines pay a minimal cost for their emissions compared to what they would pay in kerosene tax – from which they are currently exempt. For example, an Oslo-Rome flight adds under €4 to their costs, according to T&E calculations. The total cost of airlines being in the ETS is about €700 million a year, while they save €9 billion a year thanks to their kerosene tax exemption. EU finance ministers will discuss airlines’ continued tax holiday at a meeting in the Hague in June.
Airlines’ carbon emissions grew 4.9% on flights within Europe last year – in contrast to the other sectors covered by emissions-trading, such as coal and cement plants, which declined 3.9%. Carbon pollution from flying in Europe has risen a staggering 26% in the last five years – far outpacing any other transport mode.
T&E said airlines should have their free emissions allowances in the EU emissions trading system removed, start paying tax on their kerosene, and be subject to VAT on their tickets – like all other transport sectors. Radically cutting aviation emissions would also require a shift to synthetic kerosene, produced from renewable electricity and carbon captured from the air.
