After all, there is much to suggest the whole concept of a “personal carbon budget” was coined by the fossil fuel industry itself. What a clever way to shift the burden of accountability.
And we play their game, wagging our fingers at NGOs flying to climate summits, or friends who choose plane over train to save money. Personal responsibility does matter. But it would be dangerously naïve to think our voluntary actions alone can solve theThe UK’s Climate Change Committee says aviation has no credible path to net zero. Let’s scrutinise that, and the fact the Government is failing to use its available tools – fairer taxes and tighter regulation – to curb demand and industry impacts, fund decarbonisation or invest in greener alternatives.
The CCC has made clear that the UK cannot afford to expand its airports, but warns that the Government is failing to address this. When we fill our cars with fuel, we pay tax. That’s fair: the polluter pays. Yet when airlines fill their planes with fuel, they’re exempt.