Impact of private flights on greenhouse gas emissions nearly doubled

The private jet sector is emitting more and more greenhouse gases. Between 2019 and 2023, greenhouse gas emissions from private aviation nearly doubled. That’s according to a study published in Communications Earth & Environment. Last year alone, private aviation accounted for 15,6 million tons of CO2 emissions. In 2019, it was 10,7 million tons, or 46% less.

According to researchers affiliated with Swedish, German, and Danish universities, those 15.6 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2023 account for 1.7 to 1.8% of aviation’s total carbon footprint. Or 2.5 to 3% of global CO2 emissions, which, according to the UN Environment, reached 57 billion tons of CO2 in 2023.

A typical private jet emits 4.9 kg of CO2 per mile. That amounts to about 1,300 grams of CO2 emitted per passenger per mile. By comparison, the average person emits about à 6 tons of CO2 per year, and a commercial aircraft emits about 85 to 128 grams of CO2 per passenger per mile. So, a private jet is ten times more polluting.

Actual emissions are still much higher, as CO2 emissions represent only one-third of total aviation emissions, with further condensation, nitrogen oxide, and water vapor emissions.

Private jets are also not covered by European emissions trading, and kerosene, for example, is still untaxed in Belgium. The cost of private jets is also tax deductible in many cases.

26,000 private aircraft in circulation

Some 26,000 private aircraft are in circulation and used by 0.003% of the population. Nearly seven in ten are based in the United States. Half of the routes of such private flights involve less than 500 km, and just under 5% include flights of less than 50 km. Another 8,500 business jets are expected to be added by 2033.

In addition, using such private aircraft always surges around major sporting, cultural, or political events, such as the Super Bowl, the World Cup in Qatar, the Cannes Film Festival, and the UN climate summit COP28 in Dubai.

Mostly, men over 55

According to the study, private jet users, predominantly men over 55 who work in banking, finance, or real estate, have an average wealth of 123 million dollars.

Private jets could also use more biofuels and eventually switch to green hydrogen, or owners could switch to more fuel-efficient aircraft sooner. Indeed, aviation experts say the advantage of private flights over sustainable flying is that providers can pass on the extra costs to their well-to-do passengers. But whether that will happen is another question.