Denmark is proposing a small tax on all flights, half…
Denmark has announced a new proposal to implement a “green tax” on all flights in an effort to fund a sustainable-energy transition for its domestic air travel. The plan is to charge passengers (in Danish krones) around $9 for flights within Europe, $35 for medium-distance flights and $56 for long-distance flights by 2030. The policy would come into effect at the start of 2025. The tax might raise 1.2 billion krones (about €160 million) per year, and it is alleged this would help airlines to fuel all domestic flights (Denmark is a small country …) with so-called Sustainable Jet Fuel by 2030. Part of the revenue would support pension increases for elderly citizens. Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities said “The flight sector in Denmark must — as all other sectors — lower its carbon footprint and get on board a green future.” Initiatives to lessen air travel are generally more popular in Europe than in the US, where lack of government initiative and there is less good alternative high-speed travel infrastructure. Magdalena Heuwieser, co-founder of the Stay Grounded network, said Denmark has enough rail connections to ban all domestic flights, and that would be much more sustainable than a push for SAF. . Tweet Denmark is proposing a ‘green tax’ on all flights The effort is the latest by a European country to limit flying’s negative effects on the climate By Sofia Andrade (Washington Post) November 14, 2023 Denmark has announced a new proposal to implement a “green tax” on all flights in an effort to fund a sustainable-energy transition for its domestic air travel. Released Thursday, the plan by the Scandinavian country would charge passengers (in Danish krones) around $9 for flights within Europe, $35 for medium-distance flights and $56 for long-distance flights by 2030. The policy would be phased into effect beginning in 2025. Half of the revenue from the “green tax” — which is expected to bring in around 1.2 billion krones — would be used to support a transition to have all domestic flights use 100% sustainable fuels by 2030. (The country plans to have its first all-green-fueled domestic flight route in operation in 2025.) Another portion of the revenue would support pension increases for elderly citizens. Airlines want you to buy carbon offsets. Experts say they’re a ‘scam.’ “Flying takes a toll on the climate, which is why we need to equip our flight sector with green wings,” Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard said in a statement. “The flight sector in Denmark must — as all other sectors — lower its carbon foot print and get on board a green future. We will create that change and make green flights
