Each morning, Axel de Tarlé decrypts one of the most important economic news of the day.
An airline (Ryanair) enters the "TOP 10" of the biggest polluters in Europe.
In this ranking of the 10 largest C02 emitters in Europe, there are only coal-fired power plants (in Germany or Poland) and only one Airline company that ranks 10th: Ryanair.
This ranking was established by the Brussels NGO "Transport & Environment" based on the official figures of the European Union.
The report is clear, C02 emissions dropped by 4% in Europe last year.
Everyone is making an effort in Europe, especially the electricity companies that burn less coal.
Everyone is making an effort except the air sector whose C02 emissions are exploding with more than 5% last year and more than 26% in four years, with Ryanair leading the gondola. Eaysjet follows in 31st place with emissions up sharply by 11%.
Read the article Echoes - Ryanair joins the top 10 largest polluters in Europe
Why ? Airlines are not subject to the same constraints in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions?
Exactly. It can be said that the air sector benefits from preferential treatment. No or few regulatory standards, unlike the automobile sector, for example, which is highly regulated.
Above all, he does not suffer from any financial constraint. The sector is even encouraged financially, which is quite extraordinary. Kerosene is the only fossil fuel that bears no tax, not even VAT. Few products can boast of having a VAT at 0%, this is the case of kerosene. This is the result of an international agreement to prevent aircraft from refueling in one country, rather than another.
Nevertheless, it becomes problematic. First in terms of political acceptance. It has been seen in France with yellow vests, it is difficult to tax more and more the motorist and save those who take the plane, a luxury product.
It also becomes, and above all, an environmental issue with the airlines now joining coal-fired power plants in the list of the biggest polluters on the planet.
READ ALSO - Global CO2 emissions continue to rise, particularly because of air conditioning