Private jets in Europe are fun for like one per cent, and at the same time a source of increased carbon dioxide emissions. The European Commission has finally proposed rapid taxation of private jet fuel in the “Fit for 55” climate package.

As the economy wrote in the text “Travel as if there was no climate crisis,” carbon dioxide emissions from private aircraft in Europe increased between 2005 and 2019 by about a third (31%), which is faster than emissions from commercial aviation.

Private jet planes are also elite fun. As I mentioned WatchmanJust One percent of the world’s super-rich are responsible for half of the greenhouse gas emissions from the entire aviation sector in 2018. This includes private jet flights.


Read also: The richest one percent emits more into the atmosphere than all EU citizens. At the time, the poorer half of the world exported only 7 percent. Carbon Dioxide


These in turn have a very negative impact on the environment (they, on average, emit 10 times more than passenger planes and pollute 50 times more air than trains).

However, it remains untaxed in most European countries. The reasons are exemptions from the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) and a lack of taxes on jet fuel.

This uncontrolled source of emissions could stand in the way of the EU’s temporary reduction target (reduce 55% greenhouse gases) for 2030. Now, the new “Fit for 55” climate legislation package (which the explanation tells us more about) could change that.

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aviation fuel tax

The taxation of jet fuel is part of the proposed changes to the European Union’s energy tax directive.

The new regulations are implemented immediately after the package is approved by the European Union. Those relating to private aircraft come into effect immediately. Regular jet fuel prices are also set to rise, but gradually over the next decade.

“It would be great to get rid of the kerosene (fuel, liquid crude oil – editor’s note) regulations, but they are still not enough. The proposed tax rate is too low, and its gradual increase over a decade is ridiculous if we are to avoid being plunged directly into a collapsing space. climate system” – said Magdalena Hoeser, a spokeswoman for the Stayground organization.


Also read: Battle of the sky is brewing: Environmentalists want to restrict air traffic, and airlines aren’t thinking about it


The regulations will only apply to flights within the European Union, but they are still a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions.

In the aforementioned T&E report, the air routes with the most emissions are highlighted. It showed that 7 of the 10 most polluted private jet routes in Europe were from Great Britain, France, Switzerland and Italy. Perhaps even more shocking, one in 10 flights from France takes a private jet, half of which are less than 500 kilometers away.

According to the proposed regulations, member states are also required to have a portal for taxing flights outside the EU.

Sustainable travel is the future of tourism. How is Poland in this area?