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Airlines

Government Launches Scathing Attack on Airlines Over Climate Change Negligence

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The British government has launched a strongly-worded attack on several major airlines, including Ryanair and American carriers, for their alleged lack of concern regarding climate change. Environment minister Ian Pearson described Ryanair as "the irresponsible face of capitalism" and called the attitude of major American airlines "a disgrace". Pearson also criticized British Airways for not fully participating in efforts to reduce carbon emissions, stating that they are "only just about playing ball".

Key Takeaways:

  • The EU has proposed a carbon trading scheme that would include all flights within Europe starting in 2011 and all international flights arriving or departing from an EU airport starting in 2012.
  • The scheme is projected to increase the cost of transatlantic flights by around £25 per passenger.
  • Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, has vowed to boycott the scheme, dismissing it as "just another tax".
  • O'Leary has also claimed that his airline has reduced fuel burn by 45% and CO2 emissions by 50% per passenger through the use of new, fuel-efficient engines.
  • The European commission estimates that 46% of expected growth in aviation emissions would be saved if its plan is implemented in full, and forecasts suggest aviation could account for up to a quarter of the UK's contribution to global warming by 2030.
  • Pearson is also working to bring the British airline industry on board for a voluntary industry-wide carbon offsetting scheme.
  • The US airline industry is threatening lawsuits to prevent the inclusion of US flights in the EU's carbon trading scheme.
  • Pearson has expressed frustration with the lobbying efforts of the airline industry to delay market-based curbs on emissions.

Statistics:

  • The EU's proposed carbon trading scheme is projected to increase the cost of transatlantic flights by around £25 per passenger.
  • Aviation could account for up to a quarter of the UK's contribution to global warming by 2030.
  • Ryanair's new, fuel-efficient engines produce 50% fewer emissions per seat and 45% less fuel burn than long-haul, flag-carrying airlines with ageing fleets.
  • The EU's proposed carbon trading scheme would capture 20% of EU aviation carbon emissions if only intra-EU flights are included.
  • 46% of expected growth in aviation emissions would be saved if the EU's plan is implemented in full.

Sources:

  • "Government launches scathing attack on airlines over climate change negligence" by The Guardian (no date mentioned)
  • The Guardian: "Ryanair's Michael O'Leary: 'The worst CEO in Europe'" by CITY A.M. 11 January 2008 (https://www.theguardian.com/business/2008/jan/11/transportenvironment)
  • The European Commission: "Proposal for a directive of the European parliament and of the council on the inclusion of aviation in the EU's greenhouse gas emission trading scheme" (COM(2006) 29 final, 23 January 2006)
  • Sir Nicholas Stern's report: "The Economics of Climate Change" (HM Treasury, 2006)

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