Although commercial aviation has historically been attributed to only 2% of the global climate bill, the European Commission recognized in 2021 that this contribution is three times higher: 5.9% of all carbon emissions are due to commercial air traffic. Despite this huge environmental impact, airlines are heavily subsidized by public funds and in many countries are exempt from a range of taxes.
But across Europe, numerous organizations are calling for the reduction of air traffic. In Spain, Ecologists in Action along with 13 other social organizations, are calling to follow in the footsteps of France, where short domestic flights have been banned. How could this change Spain, a country with the largest high-speed rail network in Europe?
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Directorate‑General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.