Archived press release

Government Minister attacks aviation industry over climate change

5 January 2007

The Government must do more to tackle rising carbon dioxide emissions from the aviation industry, Friends of the Earth said today. The call comes as Environment Minister Ian Pearson attacked airlines for refusing to take climate change seriously.

Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner, Richard Dyer, said

"Mr Pearson is right to be concerned about the refusal of the aviation industry to take climate change seriously. This is why Government action to tackle the sector's rising emissions is urgently required. Plans to allow UK airports to be expanded should be scrapped, and the multi-billion pound tax-breaks that the sector receives must end. Furthermore, Government plans to cut carbon dioxidemust also include international aviation emissions.

"Aviation is one of the fastest growing sources of pollution. It's time the world woke up to the colossal threat to our environment from cheap flights and took steps to curb them.

"Bringing aviation within the EU Emissions Trading Scheme is a small step in the right direction. But the scheme is still some years away, and will only have a small impact on cutting emissions.

"Four-fifths of all UK trips abroad are within Europe. Many of these destinations could easily be reached by rail. More must be done to encourage people to abandon the plane and take the train."

Friends of the Earth briefing on aviation and climate change (PDF)

Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide in the UK

• Carbon emissions from UK aviation increased by 11 per cent in 2004 alone and are estimated to increase four fold between 2000 and 2050.

• Aviation emissions are estimated to have between two and four times the climate change impact of carbon emissions alone due to complex chemical reactions at altitude.

• There is no prospect of a significant technological breakthrough that will reduce aircraft emissions. Gradual improvements might manage 1.2 per cent per year reduction in emissions. But this is inadequate to counter the current growth in passengers of 6.4 per cent per year.

• Oxford University recently concluded that it will be impossible to meet the UK`s 60 per cent carbon reduction by 2050 climate target without curbing aviation growth.

• Recent research by the respected Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research found that a more ambitious 90 per cent cut in emissions from 1990 levels by 2050 - and around 70 per cent by 2030 - is necessary. Tyndall also warned that aviation could account for all of this target within 30 years.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust