A new study reveals that carbon emissions from private jet travel increased by 46% between 2019 and 2023, spotlighting the ultra-luxury industry’s environmental impact and raising calls for regulation. Researchers from universities in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany found that private aviation released 15.6 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2023, often spiking around high-profile events like the Cannes Film Festival, World Cup, and climate summits.
Despite contributing less than 2% of commercial aviation’s emissions, private jets have a far greater carbon footprint per passenger due to their exclusivity serving just 0.003% of the adult global population, each with an average net worth of $123 million. Many of the 18.7 million private flights tracked in the study were under 500 kilometers, with some even replacing car trips for convenience. Moreover, about half these trips were “empty leg” flights, where jets fly without passengers to reposition for the next pickup.
The United States accounts for roughly two-thirds of the world’s private jets, and events like the Super Bowl, the World Economic Forum in Davos, and COP28 in Dubai draw hundreds of private flights, generating significant emissions. Seasonal spikes in popular luxury destinations like Ibiza and Nice further add to the environmental toll.
As the global fleet of private jets is projected to increase by a third by 2033, the study warns that without intervention, private aviation will become a more prominent contributor to global carbon emissions. Limited use of sustainable aviation fuel among private jet owners amplifies the urgency for regulation, especially as policymakers often hesitate to focus on affluent demographics.
“Private aviation emits disproportionately more than an average human,” the study’s authors note, highlighting the environmental impact and urging action to address emissions from this highly exclusive form of travel.
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Reference: https://www.sciencealert.com/private-jet-emissions-surged-by-nearly-50-this-decade
