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Urgent Government action still needed on aviation impacts
20 June 2005
Plans by Britain's aviation industry to reduce the environmental impact of flying have been welcomed by Friends of the Earth, but the environmental campaign group warned additional urgent Government action to tackle the massive growth in flights is needed if the Prime Minister is serious about tackling climate change.
Friends of the Earth's aviation campaigner Richard Dyer said:
"It's high time the aviation industry did more to reduce the damage air travel has on the environment. Today's commitments are welcome, but technological improvements will be overwhelmed by an increase in flights unless the Government ends the nine billion pound tax subsidy that fuels this growth."
"Aviation is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide. If the Government is serious about fighting climate change it must tackle air travel and review plans to allow a massive expansion in flights."
The aviation industry is the fastest growing source of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas. Earlier this month research by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research for Friends of the Earth showed that unless the Government takes action to reduce the growth in aviation emissions the industry's emissions will wipe out all the savings that other sectors of the economy could make [1].
Currently aviation fuel has no duty on it, there is no VAT on items connected with air travel and duty free continues for passengers outside of Europe. Overall, these measures mean the UK Government subsidises aviation to the tune of £9.2 billion a year. All of which helps export tourist money abroad, rather than it being spent at home.
Note
1. Growth in Flights Will Wreck Climate Change Targets
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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jun 2008
