3.5 Aviation

Moving on from cars to aircraft, aviation is a fast-growing contributor to climate change. Aircraft emissions are also more harmful to the climate than other activities that create CO2 as gases are emitted at a high altitude where they have a greater effect on the atmosphere.

Most studies show that passenger air travel produces far more emissions than other modes of transport. It is difficult to produce exact figures as they need to be calculated for a specific aircraft on a specific journey, which means there are several variables. However, a study by CE Delft concludes that CO2 emissions by aircraft are anything from three to ten times higher than rail for medium distance journeys of 500 kilometres. For longer journeys of 1500 kilometres, air travel is a little better in terms of emissions per passenger kilometre but still about two to six times worse than rail travel.

Airportwatch compares emissions for different modes of transport. You can use this and Transport Direct to see how planning your journeys differently can reduce the carbon emissions relating to your travel.