The Commons Environmental Audit Committee says there is little sign that ministers have acted on the recommendations of the Stern Review.In advance of the Budget, the committee is calling for a rise in air taxes, especially on long-haul flights. Green taxes, as a proportion of all taxes, have declined from its peak of 9.7% in 1999 to 7.6% in 2006.
We can't have a sustainable society without more of the environmental cost of our activities being reflected in short, medium and long-haul airfare. Maybe the carbon cost of each journey should be reflected when we're booking tickets online, so we can compare.
"It is vital that tax on aviation is not just reformed but significantly increased, so as to stabilise demand and resulting emissions. The Treasury should closely examine the merits and practicalities of varying rates by classifying journeys into three bands - short-haul, long-haul, and very long-haul - in order to reflect better the differing magnitude of emissions."
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As an aside, I don't know how the economics work, but I'm wondering if artificial demand would increase the price of certain airline tickets, at the same time reducing their profitability.
If we all bought a bunch of plane tickets for £1 each (or whatever the offer is at the moment), then didn't turn up, we can claim back the airline tax.
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