Home > Press releases > 2008 > Government aviation tax reform tackle climate change
Jan 31 2008
Government proposals to replace Air Passenger Duty with a per plane tax, have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth. The environmental campaign group said that such a scheme must be part of a package of measures aimed at cuts in carbon dioxide emissions from UK air travel.
Friends of the Earth is also calling on ministers to include Britain's share of international aviation (and shipping) emissions in its plans for a new climate change law, and scrap plans to expand Britain's airports.
New Government figures released today showed that emissions from air travel are continuing to rise. Between 1990 and 2006, emissions from aviation fuel use more than doubled.
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said:
“The Government must cut aviation emissions if it is serious about tackling climate change. Scrapping APD and replacing it with a tax on planes could be a major step in the right direction. But such a scheme must be designed to make cheap air travel more expensive if it is to lead to a significant reduction in the sector's impact on climate change.
The government must also take other steps too. It must scrap plans to expand UK airports and include Britain's share of international aviation emissions in its plans for a new climate change law.”
Friends of the Earth says:
The Treasury's proposal to replace APD with a per plane tax - which will also cover freight flights for the first time - is welcome.
It should aim to cut emissions from UK air travel by encouraging more efficient planes and - along with other measures - cut the number of flights taken.
It must also be subject to an annual escalator, with tax increases used to cut taxes on jobs and income.
The Government must also include our share of international aviation emissions in its climate change bill. Failure to do so would be like going on a calorie-controlled diet, but ignoring calories from chocolate.
The Government must scrap plans to expand UK airports.
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/newsroom_and_speeches/press/2008/press_09_08.cfm
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
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