There’s no doubt that flying is a controversial topic at the moment. Concerns about carbon emissions have led to calls for everything from a “green tax” on the aviation industry to lobbyists trying to stop people flying at all.
We’re obviously involved in the aviation industry at Cheapflights so more interested in the debate than most. Today, a Battle of Ideas is taking place in Kensington and our CEO David Soskin will be arguing the case against a green tax.
He argues that though we believe at Cheapflights that it is our responsibility to do all we can to minimise any damage to the environment created by carbon emissions from planes, a green tax is not the way to go about it.
Carbon emissions from aircraft only make up three per cent of all emissions. Road and shipping, in fact, emit far greater amounts of carbon. And though the aviation industry is set to increase, aircraft manufacturers are doing all the can to bring about more fuel efficient, environmentally friendly planes. The new Boeing Dreamliner, for example, reduces carbon emissions by a full 20 per cent.
Further, governmental reports have shown that a green tax would not necessarily lessen the amount of flying as many would be prepared to pay it. If it was implemented only in the UK, however, it could be highly detrimental to our aviation industry but have little effect worldwide.
Disagree? Agree? You can read the full speech on Cheap Flight News in our company news section or see his essay, Save the planet, don’t see the world? on the Battle of Ideas website.
