Carbon emissions from private aviation spike 46 percent since Covid

Carbon emissions from private aviation spike 46 percent since Covid
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 08, 2024

A recent study published in 'Communications Earth and Environment' reveals a significant increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from private aviation, with a 46% rise recorded between 2019 and 2023. This analysis underscores how the use of private jets by a small, affluent fraction of the population is contributing disproportionately to climate change, with some frequent private flyers producing emissions nearly 500 times greater than the average individual. Peaks in private jet emissions were also recorded around prominent international events, such as COP 28 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Private jets have a high environmental impact due to their intense energy consumption, resulting in significantly more CO2 emissions per passenger than commercial flights. However, they are used by only about 0.003% of the global population. Despite this, the comprehensive environmental impact of private aviation is not yet fully understood.

Quantifying Private Aviation's CO2 Emissions
The study, led by researcher Stefan Gossling and his team, analyzed data from 18,655,789 private flights conducted by 25,993 registered business jet-type aircraft between 2019 and 2023. This dataset encompasses the majority of private aviation activity worldwide. The researchers calculated CO2 emissions per flight by combining the advertised fuel consumption rate of each aircraft model with flight duration and route data. Their findings indicate that private aviation contributed approximately 15.6 million tonnes of CO2 in 2023 alone, with an average of 3.6 tonnes of CO2 emissions per flight. This 46% rise from 2019 levels equates to nearly 1.8% of the total emissions produced by commercial aviation in 2023.

The data reveal that private jet usage, while limited to a small elite, significantly impacts overall emissions. Frequent users of private jets were responsible for substantial volumes of CO2 emissions, with the highest-emitting individuals releasing up to 2,400 tonnes of CO2 in 2023 - about 500 times the per capita emissions for 2020, which averaged 4.5 tonnes of CO2 globally.

Emission Peaks Linked to Major Global Events
The study also highlights certain high-profile international events as major contributors to private aviation emissions spikes. For instance, COP 28 was associated with 644 private flights, resulting in the release of 4,800 tonnes of CO2. Similarly, the 2022 FIFA World Cup saw 1,846 private flights, contributing a total of 14,700 tonnes of CO2. These findings suggest that large gatherings and major events lead to a significant increase in private jet usage, thereby exacerbating the emissions impact.

Implications and Calls for Policy Change
With private aviation emissions now approaching 2% of commercial aviation's CO2 output, the study's authors argue that private jet emissions require more rigorous scrutiny and regulation. They suggest several policy approaches, including carbon taxes, fuel levies, and support for the development of cleaner aviation technologies, to mitigate the environmental footprint of private aviation. Additionally, raising public awareness about the emissions impact of luxury aviation may encourage greater accountability and pressure on decision-makers to address this source of emissions.

Research Report:The researchers emphasize the need for a coordinated response to curb emissions from private jets. Addressing this issue could play a role in achieving broader climate goals by reducing emissions within the transportation sector. Their study provides a comprehensive look at private aviation's environmental impact and underscores the need for both policy action and societal awareness to mitigate the effects of this high-emission form of travel.