Richard Dyer (Aviation Campaigner for Friends of Earth)

Aviation is currently getting a lot of attention from environmental groups precisely because it is poses such a huge threat to efforts to tackle climate change. The rapid growth in LCCs is just a symptom of a wider problem. In 2005, the independent Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research found that a 90% cut in emissions by 2050 will be necessary if the UK is to play its part in preventing dangerous climate change. Simply put, aviation growth at current rates will use up this entire target thus making it impossible to achieve it even if all our homes, cars, schools hospitals and business’ were to become carbon neutral. This research incorporated the predicted emissions savings that are likely to come from new aircraft and engine technology as well as improvements to Air Traffic Control.

 So, even though aviation is just 6.3% of UK carbon emissions now we simply cannot allow it to continue to grow. Of course there is a great deal that can and must be done in other sectors to cut carbon emissions.  Friends of the Earth played a major role in getting the Government to introduce a climate change bill, a law that will force the Government of the day to cut carbon emissions. Measures like home insulation, renewable electricity generation and low energy appliances will have a big role in cutting emissions and Governments must do more to put these measures in place, but these efforts will be wasted unless aviation growth is tackled. All aviation emissions will need to be included in the new climate law.

Flying is one of the most polluting things that an individual can do, the fact that they fly with a LCC which may have new aircraft and a high low factor may slightly reduce this pollution but it doesn’t compensate for the fact that the aviation sector’s emissions are the fastest growing source in the UK. Governments, industry and individuals have to face up to the fact that this expansion can’t go on. However, this doesn’t mean we have to stop flying or close down airports or airlines it just means we’ll have to stop flying more and more each year and look at alternatives. We are encouraged that this message is starting to get through - many people are choosing to take the greener option of the train and are also spending holidays in Britain instead. Companies in the travel business will have to embrace the green agenda as both Eurostar and First Group have recently done by announcing ambitious plans to cut their train emissions. We look forward to LCC moving into the low carbon travel business and using their marketing expertise to offer attractive low carbon rail and ferry packages to destinations all over Europe.

It’s scandalous that regional Governments are subsidizing such a highly polluting form of transport in this way. The airlines already benefit from huge tax exemptions from fuel tax and VAT, additional direct subsidies by Regional Governments that encourage ‘binge flying’ are unjustified and should be ended.

 So want do we want to happen?
- All aviation emissions including the UK share of international flights must be included in the Government’s forthcoming climate law
- The Government must introduce fair taxation on aviation so the cost of flying reflects the damage it does to the environment
- The Government must abandon plans to expand airports
- LCCs to accept a limit to their expansion aspirations and move into low carbon alternatives