Climate justice in tourism?

Eight percent of global emissions of climate-damaging greenhouse gases - i.e. almost every 12th ton – come from tourism¹. The lion's share of this is generated when travelling to and from the destination, especially when flying.

Flying is by far the most climate-damaging means of transport. In addition to carbon dioxide (CO2), other substances that form clouds are released at flight altitude. These factors increase the climate effect by about three times the amount of pure CO2 emissions². Irrespective of this, air traffic continues to grow unchecked. The current number of flights is expected to double within the next 20 years – almost 8 billion flights will be booked each year³. This will also result in rapidly growing emissions. The European Commission estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from aviation will increase fourfold to eightfold by 2050⁴.

Flying is largely a privilege of the global middle and upper classes. The Stay Grounded initiative estimates that less than 10% of people have ever boarded an airplane⁵. The majority comes from the Global North and increasingly from the growing middle classes of emerging economies. However, people in the Global South who have never flown themselves suffer most from the consequences of the climate crisis. Environmental disasters, such as typhoons, destroy houses and fields; prolonged droughts and water shortages endanger the livelihoods of smallholder farmers; rising sea levels become the cause of migration.

In Europe, a taxi to the airport often costs more than a plane ticket. But how is that possible? With miserable working conditions, wage dumping and deregulation, airlines are pushing prices down. Many countries support airports, airlines and aircraft manufacturers with subsidies and tax breaks6. In the EU, kerosene is not taxed and VAT is not levied on international flight tickets. According to information from the German Environment Agency, these tax benefits amount to more than 10 billion euros⁷ in Germany alone. This distorts prices in favour of the climate-damaging aviation industry.

Neither the airlines nor the frequent flyers pay the true cost. Those most affected by climate change are left to fend for themselves with the negative consequences of air traffic, as are those living near airports who have to deal with the noise and particulate matter. In order to be prepared for rising air traffic, more than 550 airports worldwide are currently being built or expanded⁸. As a result, land is increasingly being used for new terminals and runways. Consequently, entire communities are being forced to relocate, the living space for humans and animals is becoming more and more scarce and landscapes are being cut up.

Technical innovations and more efficient aircraft can partially reduce emissions. However, the industry is growing much faster than it is increasing its efficiency, so absolute emissions continue to rise. Even if a technical breakthrough were achieved, it would take decades for these effects to reach the mass market. In addition, the industry is relying on the increased use of biokerosene from renewable agricultural crops instead of fossil fuels alone. Fertile arable land is needed for industrial monocultures. If food ends up in tanks instead of on plates, there is a risk of land grabbing and hunger.