Eight-country coalition aims to tax luxury air travel.

Countries including France, Kenya, Barbados, and Spain launched a coalition on Monday to advocate for taxes on wealthy air passengers to support poorer nations in their response to climate change, the French presidency announced. Wealthy countries that have historically contributed the most to driving climate change are obligated to provide consequences under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Countries including France, Kenya, Barbados and Spain on Monday launched a coalition to push for taxes on healthy air passengers to help poorer nations respond to climate change, the French presidency said. The alliance, which also brings together Somalia, Benin, Sierra Leone and Antigua and Barbuda, said it would work to increase the number of countries taxing plane tickets, including business class travel and private jets. The air industry is a significant source of polluting emissions that contribute to global warming, which inflicts its worst impacts on vulnerable developing countries that are least responsible.

Ahead of November's UN climate summit in Brazil, the French presidency stated that the group would work on increasing the aviation sector's contribution to climate adaptation funding. The aim would be to allocate at least some of the tax proceeds to "resilient investments and fair transitions" and help poorer countries raise more domestic revenue, a key factor in development, the statement added.

France, Kenya, and Barbados have previously lobbied for such "solidarity levies" to raise money for climate action, suggesting taxes on shipping, fossil fuels, plastic, and cryptocurrency. The group has indicated that levies on flying could rise to € 187 billion if applied across the board.

Greenpeace welcomed a vital step to raise more money from the most elite and supportive form of travel, which has remained undertaxed. "Bold, cooperative action that makes polluters pay is not just fair, it's essential," Greenpeace's global political lead, Rebecca Newsom, said in a statement. The announcement was made during a UN development conference in Spain, which aims to deliver a fresh impetus for a sector reeling from severe cuts to foreign aid, with repercussions for poor countries battling climate change. Wealthy nations that have historically contributed the most to driving climate change are obligated to provide finance to help poorer countries adapt to its consequences under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

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Eight-country Coalition Aims To Tax Luxury Air Travel

News Source : Economic Times