Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ban air miles and stop frequent flyers to combat climate change, report urges

Travellers should be hit by ‘escalating air miles levy’ to put them off flying too much

Chiara Giordano
Monday 14 October 2019 00:54 BST
Comments
The recommendations are aimed towards the 15 per cent of the UK population who are responsible for around 70 per cent of flights
The recommendations are aimed towards the 15 per cent of the UK population who are responsible for around 70 per cent of flights (iStockphoto)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Air miles should be banned because they encourage excessive flying, according to a report commissioned by the government’s climate change advisers.

Frequent flyers should be hit by an “escalating air miles levy” to put them off flying too much, rather than encouraged by reward schemes, the report says.

The suggestions are aimed at the 15 per cent of the UK population estimated to be responsible for 70 per cent of flights, many of whom take additional flights to “maintain their privileged traveller status”.

The report by Imperial College London, commissioned by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), also suggests flights should advertise their emissions in a simple way easily understood by customers.

The report, Behaviour Change, Public Engagement and Net Zero, was authored by Dr Richard Carmichael.

It said that “high impact shifts in consumer behaviours” were needed for the UK to reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, rather than the “small and easy changes” suggested to UK households in the past.

It added policy changes were required which were “consistent with the scale of the climate challenge, build optimism and commitment, and give weight to new ambitious narratives that inspire wide public participation”.

The report also included wider recommendations on sustainable living, including weekly collections of food waste and changes to diet, particularly eating less meat and switching to largely plant-based diets.

It also suggested mandatory labels on food products to show the environmental impact of producing the item.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Other domestic travel recommendations include slashing prices on intercity rail services to reduce demand for cars and planes, and reopening disused rail lines.

The UK is the world’s first major economy to legally commit to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 after the ambitious target was recommended by the CCC.

Additional reporting by Press Association.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in