Experts have been banding together to warn us about our carbon emissions and how it contributes to climate change, and luckily for us, many big companies are listening and doing something about it. However, some jet-setters are not too alarmed even if they contribute significantly to carbon emissions.
Fast Flight to Climate Change
Greenpeace has released a report that shows how private jets from Europe have a great effect on the planet's worsening case of climate change. It is said that the aircraft has higher carbon emissions per kilometer compared to other forms of transportation.
The Transport and Environment state that private jets have 5 to 14 times more polluting per passenger as opposed to commercial flights. Compared to trains, jets are 50 times more polluting, as mentioned in Interesting Engineering.
That's concerning since private jets tend to have enough space for just 20 people, while trains can accommodate up to 150 commuters, depending on their capacity. Europe's emission from private jets alone also doesn't align with the European Union's environmental goals.
According to reports, the EU plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emission by up to 55% by 2030 compared to the levels back in 1990. They also have plans of becoming climate neutral by 2050, which means that the usage of private jets may need to be reduced considerably.
It also doesn't help that some private jet trips seem to have been unnecessary. 572,806 trips were made in 2022 alone, and a quarter of them were under 500 km. The passengers could've opted for less polluting (and less expensive) ways to get to their destinations.
Despite the obvious detrimental effects of using a private jet for trips, the number of private jets in the UK actually increase. By 2022, a report says that there was 75% increase and that there have been take-offs every six minutes.
To put it more into perspective, there are private jets that emit two tons of carbon dioxide per hour. According to the International Energy Agency, driving an SUV for 18 months emits 4.7 tons of carbon, which is also what a person's average carbon footprint is per year.
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Why Do People Keep Using Private Jets?
For some, it's the luxury of being able to travel without having to fly with strangers, hence the word "private." It's very much like having your own vehicle so you won't have to ride trains or buses. The only difference is that private jets will put a hole in the pocket of an average Joe.
Also, flying using your own aircraft or being able to rent one has become a way of showing that people have the wealth to afford it, and pop culture has made it one of the marks of a successful person. It still doesn't change the fact that it is not an eco-friendly mode of transportation.
Of course, people who fly lavishly have been criticized by people who are concerned about the environment, such as the time when Kylie and Kris Jenner decided to use her private jet for a 17-minute trip to the market, as mentioned in The Guardian.
