Skip a long-haul flight
Last updated Wednesday 30 April 2008
Sky-high carbon savings for skipping a guilt trip
The 'jet set' isn't as exclusive as it used to be - more of us are flying further than ever before.
This has made flying one of the world's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. By 2050 plane travel looks set to undo all the carbon savings we make elsewhere.
So what's the alternative? Taking the train to Europe or holidaying in the UK could substitute for a long-haul holiday. Otherwise taking the time to travel overland could be the only solution.
Skipping a long-haul flight is one of the most effective climate-friendly actions you can take - but can a holiday with a clear conscience overcome the allure of exotic destinations?
Read more below
Saves 2,150kg of CO2 a year
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How will it make a difference?
Pub Fact
- A third runway at Heathrow is predicted to raise CO2 pollution by the equivalent of the national output of Kenya
- Over half of Brits never fly
- Flying to Australia and back is the energy equivalent of leaving over 15 low-energy light bulbs on for a year
The most accurate figures available suggest that a return flight to Thailand emits over 2000kg of CO2 equivalent per passenger, adding 50% to their annual direct emissions. To save that amount by eating local seasonal food, for example, would take a full year.
What's the debate?
It's hard to state exact savings because of scientific uncertainty about the additional effect emissions have at high altitude. These could be up to four times as damaging as those at ground level.
How do I do it?
No other form of transport can cross continents as quickly as flying; this action requires a change of outlook.
- You can choose to travel less often, but for a bit longer - ideal if you have enough time or are taking a gap year. Travelling by train will allow you to stop off regularly and absorb the culture en route. See The Man in Seat Sixty-One for how to travel the world by train
- If you decide to change your holiday destination, see our other action pages on visiting Europe by train instead of plane or holidaying in the UK instead of overseas
What's stopping me?
"Don't planes only create about 2% of global CO2 emissions?"
While 2% sounds small, it equates to millions of tonnes of CO2 on a global scale. In the UK flying contributes 7% of emissions and is growing fast.
"But don't developing countries depend on money from tourism?"
While it's true that tourism is a major source of income for developing countries, wealth from tourism will not necessarily 'trickle down' to all.
Using an example of a Kenyan game safari, author George Monbiot argues that very little of the entrance fee to the game reserve will go to providing amenities for local people, whereas the impact of the flight contributes to worsening famine in other parts of Africa.
If this is your concern, you could improve matters by opting for local 'home stays', for example, where you can ensure money goes directly to people you visit and not to a middleman or travel agent.
"Can't we offset flying by planting more trees?"
Offsetting is a controversial issue; many claim it's not an effective substitute for reducing emissions.
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Disappointed that Dick Strawbridge advocates flying to Cornwall in his promotion for Visit Cornwall in the destination Guide.
I shall drive there in June in my low emission - with DPF - diesel car
You can't say planes produce more CO2 than cars unless you account for the result of paving over thousands of acres of forest with asphalt, and repaving the road every five years with belching diesel road machines. Aviation Week calculated that even an older 767 gets far more than 100 mpg, and it doesn't need a road or a train track. The only common method of long-distance travel that produces less CO2 per mile than a modern jetliner (787/A350) is an electric train powered by nuclear plants.
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