Guardian UK: Levy on international air travel could fund climate change fight

[marmar]

Levy on international air travel could fund climate change fight
• Idea put forward by 50 least developed countries
• Move could be matched by shipping fuel surcharge


John Vidal, environment editor
guardian.co.uk, Sunday 7 June 2009 19.42 BST


Britain and other rich countries will be asked to accept a compulsory levy on international flight tickets and shipping fuel to raise billions of dollars to help the world's poorest countries adapt to combat climate change.

The suggestions come at the start of the second week in the latest round of UN climate talks in Bonn, where 192 countries are starting to negotiate a global agreement to limit and then reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The issue of funding for adaptation is critical to success but the hardest to agree.

The aviation levy, which is expected to increase the price of long-haul fares by less than 1%, would raise $10bn (£6.25bn) a year, it is said.

It has been proposed by the world's 50 least developed countries. It could be matched by a compulsory surcharge on all international shipping fuel, said Connie Hedegaard, the Danish environment and energy minister who will host the final UN climate summit in December.

"People are beginning to understand that innovative ideas could generate a lot of money. The Danish shipping industry, which is one of the world's largest, has said a that truly global system would work well. Denmark would endorse it," said Hedegaard. ..........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/jun/07/international-flight-levy-un-climate-change

[BeFree]

1. Not enough

being as that the co2 released in the upper atmosphere exclusively by jets could be a huge factor in the green house effect, the fees need to be so steep as to more than pay for those effects. Every gallon of jet fuel should probably have a $10 levy.

The problem is: who gets to manage the money? Our bankers?

[Nihil]

2. About bloody time too!

K & R for stating the obvious but I bet that certain countries
(lead by US & UK) veto this.
:mad: