In view of the climate debate that has been going on for some time, the environmental protection organization Greenpeace is calling for private jet flights to be banned in Europe. It is believed that this would result in an immediate 1,8 million tonnes of greenhouse gas savings.
Only recently, Austria's Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens), who is strongly committed to night trains, was amazed. She used a business jet to travel to and from an appointment. Nothing unusual in politics, but a spokesman later tried to conceal this. She would not have flown with a business jet, but with a charter airline.
“While people in Europe are being asked to save energy, for example by taking shorter showers or turning down the heating, the super-rich continue to waste energy excessively. With the global energy crisis threatening the livelihoods of millions and the escalating climate crisis, it is time we banned private jets once and for all as the most unequal and polluting mode of transport. A ban on private jets in Europe would send a strong signal of fairness to the people of Europe, who are increasingly suffering from the increasing burdens. Transport Minister Leonore Gewessler must campaign for a ban on private jets at the EU Council meeting,” demands Klara Maria Schenk, climate and transport expert at Greenpeace.
The environmental organization considers private jets to be particularly problematic and calls on Finance Minister Magnus Brunner (ÖVP) to introduce a corresponding special tax. The revenue is to be distributed to households that are particularly hard hit by energy price increases. Funds for so-called climate-friendly mobility are also to be distributed.
Greenpeace also doesn't believe in SAF fuels, which are currently being promoted by oil companies and airlines. Behind this is also the simple fact that carbon dioxide is also produced when these fuels are burned. “Alternative fuels that are actually sustainably produced are energy-intensive to produce, expensive and a rare commodity. And they will remain so for a long time. These fuels are needed in the decarbonization of commercial air travel, so putting a green cloak on the completely unnecessary private jets of the super-rich is not a solution. Private jets must be a thing of the past,” says Schenk.
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