Flying bigger culprit than feared – Aftonbladet

Environment. the Swedes international air travel affects the climate significantly more than had previously been known.

Climate change can be almost five times greater than what is reported to the UN and the EU.

Never Swedes have flown much abroad now. Between 1990 and 2014, increased international travel by 130 percent, according to a report that Chalmers made on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency. But a frequent air travel affects the climate.

As car traffic

In the data reported to the UN and the EU estimated the total emissions of greenhouse gases amounting to 2.3 million tonnes for 2014. but according to the report from Chalmers responded Swedes international air travel for about 11 million tonnes that year, about as much as emissions from Swedish road traffic in the same year.

– the study gives us a foundation as shows that we may need to supplement the emission accounting that we have today. It occurs negotiations in that area, says Erik Adriansson, administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency, said.

Reported different

the big difference in the results is due to the different ways of reporting. The official statistics based on the amount of fuel being refueled in Sweden and used for flights that leave Sweden.

Chalmers report also takes into account eg length of the flight and fuellings made outside Sweden. It also includes emissions at high altitudes for international flights.

– The gases formed during combustion at high altitude has a different impact on the warming of the atmosphere, says Erik Adriansson.

He said the report will be used to go through various steps to reduce the climate impact of travel.

FACTS

Slower increase in emissions

Between 1990 and 2014, the Swedes international air travel increased by 130 percent.

During the same period, the estimated emissions have increased by 61 percent, from about 7 million tonnes to 11 million tonnes.

the slower growth is partly explained by the streamlining of the flight which includes an increase in the load factor, the plan has fewer empty seats.

Source: Environmental Protection Agency and Chalmers University of technology

August 27 2016 17:09