In the fight against climate change: Greens call for a luxury tax on private jets

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The figures are impressive: only one percent of the world’s population is responsible for half of the global CO2₂– Responsible for aircraft emissions. After all, a private jet causes ten times more emissions per capita than a scheduled flight.

According to an analysis by Greenpeace, more than 35,000 private jets will take off in Switzerland alone in 2022 – more than 60 percent more than in the previous year. They produced as much as 166,000 tons of CO₂. This corresponds to the average emissions of all inhabitants of the city of Freiburg per year. The environmental organization wants to ban the private jets of the super rich immediately.

Extra income for climate protection

The Greens don’t want to go that far. But also Kingdom Councilor Florence Brenzikofer (48) would like to ask the super rich to pay more. She therefore wants to ask the Bundesrat with a motion to draw up a proposal for a luxury tax on private jets.

For Brenzikofer, private jets are exemplary in showing global inequalities. After all, about 80 percent of the world’s population has never boarded an airplane. However, taxation would not only reduce the attractiveness of environmentally unfriendly private jets. She suggests that the additional revenue could also be used to promote innovation in climate protection.

EU countries are also demanding stricter rules

The Greens are not alone in their demands. Italy has for years had a luxury tax on private jets based on weight, persons and distance, Brenzikofer emphasizes. In the fight against climate change, EU member states Austria, France and the Netherlands recently demanded stricter rules for private jets.

In May, the three states wrote a letter to the European Commission requesting that it examine the possibility of stricter regulation. “Private jet flights are a hobby of the super rich. But it cannot be the case that we all pay for it,” said Austrian Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (45). “Those who harm our climate must also make an honest contribution. Because we all bear the consequences of these luxury trips.”

A Swiss regulation should be compatible with international law, argues Green politician Brenzikofer. And there should be exceptions: state-owned aircraft or aircraft used for emergencies such as medical rescues or firefighting, for example, are tax-exempt. (dba)

Source:Blick