Abstract
In this analysis we discover the potential of a more transparent emission declaration system, in order to a) facilitate for environmentally concerned consumers to choose low-emission flights, and b) provide data for a future emission trading system where the aviation industry is accounted for its emission costs. Some air travel consumers book flights through low-cost flight ticket price comparison websites, that offer comparisons on price, convenience, travel time, and other factors relevant to the consumer. As a basis for this study, an algorithm designed for “flight CO2 emissions comparisons”, was developed and implemented on Sweden’s largest flight ticket price comparison website that compares flights by CO2 emissions in kg per passenger and trip. A visitor to the site can now also select a flight based on the ranking of carbon emission levels from each flight. In addition to the implementation of the algorithm in a commercial aviation booking system, a survey was conducted to analyze consumer preference data to glean insights and make conclusions about flight ticket price sensitivity, convenience, environmental awareness and potential for behavioral change among air travel consumers.The findings from this study indicate that the algorithm will not act as a catalyst for emission reductions in the aviation sector, unless it is complemented by emission reduction policies and/or introduction of a fair emission taxation system. Furthermore, the aviation sector should be obliged to report accurate emission data on all tickets in order to bring full transparency to consumers searching low emission transport modes.
Highlights
The world is becoming increasingly aware of man-made climate change and there are strong indications that the climate is changing to an extent that cannot be considered as natural [1]
The results show that the same flights often appear at the top of the rankings when ranked on price or emissions
When conducting a T-test, we find that respondents who thought that it was worth giving up 3–5 cm less legroom on a return flight ticket from Sweden to the UK with a premium carrier and 1–10% less CO2 emissions are respondents that:
Summary
The world is becoming increasingly aware of man-made climate change and there are strong indications that the climate is changing to an extent that cannot be considered as natural [1]. Worldwide air travel is a significant contributing factor to climate change, and there is significant risk that aviation emissions will increase during the coming years, which would counteract international efforts to keep global warming below 2 °C [3]. Commercial passenger flights are by far the most emissions-intensive mode of transport despite being relatively cheap when compared with other modes of transport [9]. This is because the global airline industry is exempted from bearing the cost of the emissions it produces [10]. In Sweden, the global airline industry does not pay value added tax on Schennings et al Sustainable Environment Research :25(019)
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