Aviation insiders call for flight limits as climate concerns soar
A newly formed coalition of aviation professionals warns that the industry must urgently control flight growth and adopt deeper emissions cuts to avoid heavy external regulation and environmental harm.
Damian Carrington reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Call Aviation to Action, a group of aviation workers, says the industry’s reliance on future technology and carbon offsets is insufficient to curb climate impacts.
- The United Nation’s aviation agency, ICAO, faces criticism for weak action, with emissions projected to keep rising despite efficiency efforts and offset schemes.
- The group proposes absolute emissions targets, fair management of flight demand, and a fundamental redesign of aircraft and fuel technologies.
Key quote:
“If we do not act, by 2050 aviation emissions will be about a quarter of all human-caused emissions – that will be really a very shameful position.”
— Karel Bockstael, co-founder of Call Aviation to Action
Why this matters:
Aviation’s environmental toll is growing, with the sector already responsible for more carbon emissions per mile than any other form of transport. As passenger numbers are expected to double by 2042, the industry’s promises of sustainable fuels and efficiency gains fall short of what climate science demands. Wealthier travelers disproportionately contribute to the problem, while poorer nations face challenges accessing air travel. Unlike other sectors, aviation’s global nature exempts much of its pollution from national climate commitments, leaving it under the purview of the UN’s ICAO, which has been criticized for industry influence and weak regulation.
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