France, Spain, Kenya, Coalition Plans Tax on Premium Flyers, Private Jets for Climate Funding

A coalition of countries including France, Kenya, Spain, Barbados, Benin, Sierra Leone, and Somalia, supported by the European Commission, has proposed a tax on premium flyers and private jets to generate funds for climate action and sustainable development. This initiative, unveiled at the UN Financing for Development conference in Seville, targets the aviation sector, which accounts for over 2.5% of human-induced CO2 emissions and remains largely undertaxed, especially kerosene used for international flights. Environmental groups like Greenpeace have praised the move as a crucial step to hold elite polluters accountable and have called for further measures to tax fossil fuel corporations, emphasizing that revenues should support communities most affected by the climate crisis. Research indicates broad public support for taxing wealthier air travelers, with a potential to raise billions for climate finance. The Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, co-led by France, Kenya, and Barbados, aims to build a coalition ready to implement such levies by COP30, also considering taxes on other sectors such as shipping and cryptocurrencies. This effort reflects a growing global push to use progressive taxation as a tool for climate justice and sustainable development funding.