Private flying to holiday paradises – emissions increase

Private flights emit more and more carbon dioxide. Holiday paradises like Mauritius are common destinations, but even the UN's climate meetings attract many private planes. It's about the very richest and they should pay for what they emit, says researcher Stefan Gössling.

» Published: November 08 2024

Private flying to holiday paradises – emissions increase
Photo: Anders Humlebo/TT

Shorter than 50 kilometers and over weekends. Or to an island with a pleasant climate. These are common routes for all private planes flying around and emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

In a recent study where researchers from, among others, Sweden participated, patterns from private planes are clearly visible. These are largely trips that are relatively short, sometimes just a few miles, and are often made over weekends.

The researchers have analyzed flights made by private planes between 2019 and 2023. Based on aircraft models and routes, they have calculated how much carbon dioxide emissions they have caused. In total, this amounts to around 16 of the 850 megatons of carbon dioxide that air traffic emits globally per year.

Climate meeting attracts

Trips to the Canary Islands, Seychelles, or Mauritius are rarely business trips, says Stefan Gössling, professor of tourism science at Linnaeus University, who, among other things, researches the climate impact of tourism.

In addition to vacation destinations, there are certain major events that attract a very large number of private planes. Some examples are the World Championship in Qatar, the film festival in Cannes, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and ironically, the UN Climate Meeting COP28 in Dubai. How many private flights this year's meeting, which starts on Monday, will attract, remains to be seen.

Furthermore, there are additional emissions because it is often expensive to park the plane in, for example, Davos. Then, the owners save money by letting the plane fly a bit further away. They save money but create an environmental cost for everyone else, says Stefan Gössling.

The rich should pay

Between 2019 and 2023, carbon dioxide emissions from private flights increased by 46 percent. The USA is the country where most private planes are registered – nearly 70 percent of all private flights are registered there.

Stefan Gössling does not think that emissions from private flights can be ignored, even though commercial flights account for a much larger share. Small planes with few seats lead to significantly more emissions per person than a commercial flight.

It's obviously about people with money. It costs to transition to a low-emission society, so those with the most money should pay for their private flights through higher taxes. But it would have a signal value.

The study is published in Communications Earth & Environment.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Summer House Buyers Urged to
3 MIN READ

Summer House Buyers Urged to Consider Climate Risks in Sweden

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Traffic Resumes in Stockholm Tunnel After Lorry Accident

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on
1 MIN READ

Kristersson Praises Brandberg's Efforts on Gender Equality and Safety

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Liberals' Jakob Olofsgård Steps Down as Party Secretary

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as
3 MIN READ

Paulina Brandberg Steps Down as Minister to Prioritize Family Life

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope
5 MIN READ

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope for Phantom Pain Relief

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean
2 MIN READ

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean Protection Treaty

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor
2 MIN READ

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor to Support Helicopter Rescue Services

Social Democrats Propose State Investment
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Propose State Investment Bank to Boost Growth

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading
2 MIN READ

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading to Replace Reduction Obligation

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down After Journal System Setback

Sweden Unveils Largest Military Aid
2 MIN READ

Sweden Unveils Largest Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to Combat Rising Crime

Man Faces Charges for Online
1 MIN READ

Man Faces Charges for Online Child Sexual Offenses in Sweden

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care
3 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Ica Maxi Employee Murder

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Rise in Children Contacting Bris
1 MIN READ

Rise in Children Contacting Bris About Eating Disorders Concerns Experts

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence
2 MIN READ

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence Cases in a Decade

New Tool Empowers Parents to
1 MIN READ

New Tool Empowers Parents to Combat Online Grooming Risks

Elderly Man's Death in Ale
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Ale Sparks Murder Investigation

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias
1 MIN READ

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias Exposed in Sportadmin Data Breach

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway Collision with A-Tractor

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey