Danish airlines oppose an aviation tax, but instead propose a climate fee that would go towards the development of environmentally friendly air travel. But that is not enough, according to Ola Hansén, climate expert at the World Wildlife Fund WWF.
”It is not possible to minimize emissions through climate-smart travel alone today,” he says.
On Friday, the Danish aviation industry presented its own proposal for a climate fee. The proposal is being sent to Danish politicians by Dansk Luftfart, an industry group that includes Copenhagen and Billund airports as well as SAS and Norwegian.
The idea behind the fee is to generate up to 300 million Danish kroner per year for an aviation industry fund that will work on green solutions for aviation. For travelers, the fee means an average of 20 Danish kroner (equivalent to 31 Swedish kronor) per ticket.
”"The point of the proposal is to maintain the benefits of air travel, such as trade, relationships and experiences, while minimizing the negative impact of air traffic on the environment. We believe that our passengers want to contribute to sustainability and will welcome the fee. It is so low that anyone who wants to continue flying can do so," says Danish Aviation Director Michael Svane to TT.
The goal of airlines is not to reduce air travel.
”The problem is not flying, but emissions,” he says.
Climate expert Ola Hansén at the World Wildlife Fund WWF is critical of the climate fee. It is far from sufficient.
”"Basically, it's good that you're doing something, but it's not possible to minimize emissions through climate-smart travel alone today. We need to take fewer flights and ensure that the trips we do make are sustainable," he says.
One reason why completely environmentally friendly air traffic in Nordic countries is difficult to achieve is the production and import of the biofuel that would be required.
”"The future need for biofuel is many times greater than the amount available on a global level. Even though there are conditions for producing biofuel here thanks to the forest industry, we expect it to take ten years before real production can be started," notes Ola Hansén.
Achieving green air travel requires a series of changes in a chain that extends far beyond the airline industry, which takes time. With the urgent need to reduce emissions, fewer air trips are a must, he says.
However, he is positive about the research that the airlines want to conduct.
”"It is positive to secure resources to stimulate the development and production of, for example, sustainable fuels. It is an important part in the long term," he says.
In Sweden, private air travel accounts for four-fifths of the approximately 10 million tons of carbon dioxide emitted, but air travel in the country has decreased by five percent during the first quarter of this year. Whether it is flight tax or flight shame that is behind this, it is not yet possible to say. But research is being conducted in this area.
”"The discussion around the aviation tax has definitely raised awareness and changed people's behavior. But our aviation tax is significantly higher than the intended fee in Denmark, and we asked for it to be even higher to really produce results. I don't think their climate tax will have any effect on consumption behavior," says Hansén.
Source: TT
