A recent studypublished on November 7 in the journal Communications Earth & Environmenthighlights the completely disproportionate carbon footprint of this mode of transport favored by the most fortunate. The analysis of 18.7 million flights between 2019 and 2023 reveals practices that are of concern, even though the global fleet is expected to increase another notch in the coming decade.
This dizzying increase is driven by an elite representing barely 0.003% of the world adult populationwhich apparently does not seem concerned by global warming.
A booming sector despite its deleterious impact
The figures speak for themselves: they are 15.6 million tonnes of CO2 which were rejected in 2023 by only 256,000 users private jets. Although this volume represents less than 2% of commercial aviation emissions, it reflects consumption per passenger that is significantly higher than regular flights.
The current fleet of 26,000 aircraft mainly serves the United Stateswhich concentrate two thirds of private jets worldwide. The typical profile of their passengers according to the data collected by the study? Individuals whose average personal wealth reaches $123 million.
Absurd practices in the face of the climate emergency
At a time when the IPCC is calling for drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, half of the journeys made do not exceed 500 km. These short distances, for which the train or the car would be obvious alternatives, illustrate a total disconnection from environmental issues. Even more aberrant, a considerable proportion of flights are carried out empty (or almost), simply to position the devices in the right place or ensure deliveries, consequently multiplying superfluous emissions.
Usage peaks demonstrate an incongruous paradox. As the 2023 COP28 in Dubai debated ways to limit global warming, hundreds of private jets converged on the emirate, generating considerable pollution. Same pattern for the Davos Economic Forum, where world elites discuss sustainable development while favoring this ultra-polluting mode of transport. The Super Bowl also transforms the American sky into a veritable highway for private jets for a weekend.
Upscale seaside resorts like Ibiza and Nice also see an influx of these aircraft every summer weekend. A concentration of thefts which intensifies during festivals and social events, such as that of Cannes. These comfort trips, motivated by the sole desire to save a few hours, are carried out in defiance of the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
A climate future jeopardized by the absence of regulation
The climate horizon is becoming even darker given the sector’s growth projections. According to analyst forecasts, the global fleet of private jets is expected to grow by an additional third by 2033. This planned expansion comes even though the scientific consensus is clear on the effect of carbon emissions on our planet.
The alternative technological solutions put forward by the industry struggle to convince. Sustainable aviation fuels, presented as the environmental panacea, remain largely ignored by jet owners. A reluctance which reflects the sector’s reluctance to transform its practices, despite its considerable impact per passenger. Manufacturers will therefore continue to put into service ever more luxurious devices, without any real environmental constraints.
The researchers denounce in their study the reluctance of political leaders to face the problem. ” LPrivate aviation illustrates the political dilemma of tackling the role of the well-off, with policymakers reluctant to target the rich and powerful », they emphasize. This weakness is manifested by the absence of binding regulations, even though the sector represents a typical example of excessive and non-essential consumption.
Without rapid coercive measures – progressive taxation, ban on short flights, emissions quotas – the carbon footprint of private aviation will continue to grow, undermining collective efforts to reduce emissions. A situation that is all the more worrying given that these emissions affect the entire world population, deepening even further the gap between a mobile elite and the majority, forced into sobriety.
- The carbon footprint of private jets is disproportionate and still increasing, despite the climate emergency.
- Private jets emit 15.6 million tonnes of CO₂ per year, often on short journeys or even empty.
- The lack of strict regulation allows this sector to grow unconstrained, threatening global efforts to reduce emissions.
