Tax on Europe’s frequent flyers could reduce emissions by a fifth, says study

Carbon pollution pumped out of planes could fall by 21% if people were made to pay more for each extra flight they take beyond the first return trip, according to analysis from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and partner organisations. File picture

A “jet-setter” tax on Europe’s frequent flyers could slow global heating and raise €64bn a year at no extra cost to most people, a report has found.

Carbon pollution pumped out of planes could fall by 21% if people were made to pay more for each extra flight they take beyond the first return trip, according to analysis from the New Economics Foundation (NEF) and partner organisations. Just over half the benefits in a given year would come from the 5% of people who fly the most, while 72% of people would escape fees by flying once or not at all.