Aviation Environment Federation (AEF)

Opinion: Expanding Dublin Airport now would fly in the face of climate reality Letting various aviation expenses to go untaxed has made air travel artificially cheap despite its massive drain on the environment, writes Aoife O’Leary.

Aviation is the elephant in the room, "while motorists, homeowners, farmers and small businesses are all shouldering the cost of cutting emissions, the aviation sector continues to enjoy special treatment,” writes Aoife O’Leary, from @opportunitygreen.org
www.thejournal.ie/readme/opini...

Air pollution - Aviation Environment Federation Air pollution damages both human health and the natural environment Long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, lung diseases and lung cancer. There is also …

Emissions from aircraft - such as nitrogen oxides and ultrafine particles - are linked to negative health impacts, such as respiratory problems. For more information and resources, please check out our resource page below. 2/2

www.aef.org.uk/what-we-do/a...

AIRLIFT - Aircraft Local Impact Footprint Tool - International Council on Clean Transportation The ICCT’s AIRcraft Local Impact Footprint Tool (AIRLIFT) dataset provides information on landing and take-off operations air pollutants and fuel use from commercial passenger, commercial freighter, a...

New tool for campaigners and journalists!

@theicct.org have created a map showing air pollutants released from take off and landing operations at airports. 1/2

theicct.org/airlift-airc...

Fuel Disclosure – the limits of alternative jet fuels Sustainable. Abundant. Feasible – why SAF is unlikely to be all three at once. Alternative jet...

@carbontracker.bsky.social's new report finds that alternative fuels will not be able to scale fast enough to even cover the increase in CO₂ from demand growth.

Until unsustainable aviation growth is tackled, any effort to reduce emissions is wiped out.
carbontracker.org/reports/fuel...

Closing Ireland’s aviation climate gap — Opportunity Green In 2026, Ireland assumes the Presidency of the Council of the EU. This report examines how the country can place climate action at the heart of its leadership while generating significant revenue thro...

How to close Ireland’s aviation climate gap?

A new report from @opportunitygreen.org examines how Ireland can place climate action at the heart of its leadership while generating significant revenue through introducing a fair air travel levy.
www.opportunitygreen.org/publication-...

A large SUV with private jet wings

A group of campaigners holding "Tax Private Jets" signs.

Did you know you pay more fuel tax on a single car journey than a billionaire does on a private jet flight?

Right now the gov is subsidising tax breaks, when they could be using that tax to generate billions for public services.

Help us change this: https://bit.ly/43NAeFN

AEF analysis shows that the UK would need agreements with just ten countries to cover 50% of the total aircraft fuel sold in the UK. 2/2
www.aef.org.uk/2024/10/29/i...

Fuel Taxation in Aviation This report examines 32 Air Service Agreements concluded between COFFIS member states to determine the necessary steps before implementing a tax on the uptake of aviation fuel.

A new @iisd.org report concludes that tax would support the sector’s climate targets by promoting greater fuel efficiency, encouraging the uptake of SAF, and ensuring fairer competition with lower-emission transport modes ✈️1/2
www.iisd.org/publications...

High Court battle against Gatwick new second runway launched by local residents The Government is facing a judicial review challenge after backing expansion of the Sussex airport

.@cagnegatwick.bsky.social is taking the Government to court over Gatwick expansion plans.

Sally Pavey, chair of CAGNE points out that “It is absolutely shameful that residents are forced to take legal action to hold a Government to account.”
www.standard.co.uk/news/politic...

Surrey emissions calculator shows true cost of flying - The Engineer Surrey researchers have developed a new emissions calculator that shows the real environmental cost of flying

Most flight emission calculators only include CO₂, ignoring contrails & nitrogen oxides that also warm the planet. Google’s Travel Impact Model and a new tool from Surrey academics now factor in these non-CO₂ effects. ✈️ 🌍
www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news...

UK must speed up net-zero aviation, says Tony Blair The recommendation, by the ex-PM’s policy body, is Blair’s third intervention on green policy this year.

The Tony Blair Institute is advocating for a bigger emphasis on carbon removals in reducing aviation’s emissions. In a new report, TBI argues that removals place “the financial responsibility of removals at the feet of those most able to pay it.”

www.politico.eu/article/uk-n...

Forget planes. Meet the man who will only travel by train – DW – 10/27/2025 Long-distance train travel often costs more and takes longer than a flight, but for some people, it's the only way to go. Meet Mark Smith, the man from Seat 61.

The man, the myth, the legend.

For anyone who has planned a rail journey across Europe, you would have likely come across the @seatsixtyone.bsky.social's wikipedia of train routes. A great resource. Read his interview below.
www.dw.com/en/this-is-w...

Plane exhausted: a story about disrupted sleep and being able to do little about it - Aviation Environment Federation Despite planning restrictions intended to limit disruptive night flights, multiple exemptions and lack of meaningful oversight have left some residents in the Southend area exposed to sleepless nights...

Despite planning rules meant to curb night flights, exemptions and weak oversight leave Southend residents sleepless 🌃🛬🫨

Tougher night noise regulations are needed.
www.aef.org.uk/2025/10/30/p...

One answer is to keep checking their work. Net zero by 2050 offers a benchmark, and eventually, it will become impossible for the aviation industry (+ politicians) to ignore aviation carbon emissions as other sectors decarbonise faster. It is already begun to happen.

The full CBGDP can be read here 3/3👇https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6901d0c2a6048928d3fc2b55/carbon-budget-and-growth-delivery-plan-report.pdf

Plenty to digest, but one point stands out, namely a proposal to recognise CORSIA offset credits in carbon budgets. This will prompt a big discussion on environmental integrity! 2/3

UK unveils ‘carbon budget delivery plan’ to get back on track for net zero targets Ed Miliband says pushing for renewable energy and lower emissions will reduce household bills and boost economy

Yesterday the Government published its revised Carbon Budget and Growth Delivery Plan. 1/3
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Contrails are prevalent in the skies over Europe, the north Atlantic and Europe, so the UK is well placed geographically to lead work on contrail mitigation: collaboration with Canada, the US and Portugal would provide a joined up approach to tackling the north Atlantic region 2/2

Giving wings to contrail mitigation: a template for international cooperation - Aviation Environment Federation Contrails, or to give them their full title, condensation trails, are a regular sight in the skies over the UK, criss-crossing each other in the wake of aircraft flying at …

New report, published today, on how international cooperation can address the significant climate impacts caused by aircraft contrails. Report for AEF by @opportunitygreen.org focuses on how states can best work together to put contrail avoidance into practice 1/2
☁️🛬☁️
www.aef.org.uk/2025/10/29/g...

Carbon Credits Shortage May Lead To Higher Air Fares Airline carbon credits are scarce, driving up costs. But what are carbon offsets and credits? How do they work? And why should we be worried?

While there is a current shortage of CORSIA eligible carbon offsets, as reported here by Forbes, airlines have until 2028 to meet their obligations. The next three years is likely to see more supply and quicker double-claiming checks by states.
www.forbes.com/sites/alexle...

You can book a flight in 30 seconds, but a long-distance cross-border rail journey? Better clear your afternoon.

The hassle of booking tickets is putting Europeans off rail altogether. This must change if it is to be a real alternative for cross‑border travel.

See the poll results ➡️ bit.ly/4hqpJOi

UK report calls for rethink on carbon removal priorities to meet net zero A MAJOR government-commissioned review has called for a strategic overhaul of how the UK prioritises greenhouse gas removal (GGR) technologies, urging a shift away from overreliance on biomass and a s...

The Whitehead Report concludes that ‘the polluter pays’ approach is the right way for many sectors, especially the aviation sector, to pay for greenhouse gas removal costs to reach net zero.
www.thechemicalengineer.com/news/uk-repo...

Want to know AEF’s thoughts and analysis? Take a look at our press release below. 4/4
www.aef.org.uk/2025/10/24/n...

Airport expansion could put net zero in “serious jeopardy” without further safeguards - Committees - UK Parliament The government’s current approach to mitigating the climate impacts of aviation while proceeding with airport expansion could put net zero delivery in “serious jeopardy”, a committee...

Read the full report here to know all the Committee’s recommendations to the Government when considering airport expansion and the UK’s climate and nature targets. 3/4
committees.parliament.uk/committee/62...

Airport expansion will put UK’s net zero goal in ‘serious jeopardy’, MPs warn Committee urges ministers to set out measures to reduce carbon emissions before work starts on new runways

The EAC highlighted that the government was avoiding scrutiny and relying on “an outdated policy framework which is inconsistent with its objectives”. 2/4
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Airport expansion put climate goals at risk, MPs say A committee of MPs says the government has not demonstrated if economic benefits from airport expansion outweigh climate impacts.

The Gov’s claim that airport expansion will lead to economic growth is wrong, argues Alex Chapman from @neweconomics.bsky.social: "demand for business air travel is collapsing and we're flying ever more tourists to spend money outside the country than we are flying in."
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

The @CommonsEAC report also pours cold water on the government’s unproven assertion that airport expansion will be a catalytic driver of wider economic growth.

Read our full statement on the report below 👀👇2/2
www.aef.org.uk/2025/10/24/n...

🚨 After months of taking evidence from campaigners, industry reps, and the Aviation Minister, the @CommonsEAC new report send a strong message to Government: airport expansion threatens the UK’s net zero goals 1/2 publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5901/cm...

UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights Private member’s bill backed by Chris Packham and Natalie Bennett would impose a duty of care on government and business

This is so exciting - and follows the example of many other countries that already have recognition of nature rights in their constitutions. It’s time to give Nature a voice in law! @nataliegreenpeer.bsky.social @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social

Sustainability to shape the EU’s first-ever tourism strategy With Europe facing record visitor numbers and rising climate risks, the plan aims to balance economic growth with environmental protection and community well-being.

What is the EU doing about “unbalanced tourism”?

The EU’s new tourism strategy prioritises “reducing emissions, including from travel to and within destinations [...] and ensuring that tourism contributes to balanced regional development across Europe.”
www.euronews.com/my-europe/20...