Jet zero: Imposing frequent flyer surcharges to try to encourage us to fly less won’t work

YOU may be familiar with the oft-mentioned term net zero, but let me introduce you to jet zero.

Governments have declared their intention to switch to sustainable aviation fuel by 2050.

This date is destined to be a year of reckoning.

That’s because there are 27 years to go and politicians can leave problems in the path of truth.

Aircraft contribute significantly to climate damage. About 2.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions come from aircraft.

There is no technology that allows us to fly guilt free. And year after year we fly more.

Many countries are considering frequent flyer surcharges to try to encourage us to fly less. Taxing cigarettes, alcohol, and gasoline to death hasn’t stopped us from smoking, drinking, or driving (maybe there’s a clue here).

It all comes down to investing in alternative technologies. And that costs money.

In the UK, The Royal Society looked at the other three alternatives currently being discussed:

• Biofuel from crops: London Heathrow is the world’s largest user of biofuels, but this represents only 0.5% of the airport’s fuel. (It would take more than half of UK farmland to produce enough to meet UK aviation needs.) So that’s not going to happen.
• Fuel made from hydrogen produced with green electricity, but countries do not generate enough renewable electricity to produce enough green hydrogen. So that’s not going to happen. Also, existing aircraft engines cannot use hydrogen-based fuels.
• Ammonia and synthetic fuels: under consideration, but need even more green hydrogen. So that’s not going to happen.

Governments make us all believe that innovation will save the day. Without proper investment there is no possibility.

The airline industry regulates itself. They offer promises without consequences.

An excellent example; In 2010, Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic said that by 2020 10% of its fuel would be biofuel.

In 2021, Virgin Atlantic announced that it would use 10% alternative fuels by 2030.

Do you understand my point?

‘TOO LATE TO SAVE OUR ENVIRONMENT’

So said one of the co-founders of the Green Party in the UK, Michael Benfield, last week.

Your point carries weight.

We have been successful in helping to educate, but we have failed in facing the battle for environmental survival.

Martin Tye is the owner of the power switch company. Butterfly Energy. Contact him at +34 638145664 or write to martin@mariposaenergia.es

READ MORE: