Plane Truths

Plane Truths reveals that increased air travel and tourism leaves UK taxpayers out of pocket, and benefits multinational tour operators and hotel chains, rather than poor people. And, as the fastest-rising source of emissions in the UK, aviation is a significant contributor to climate change that threatens the survival of some of the world's poorest communities least responsible for causing the problem, but living on its front line.

The report exposes the 'fossil-fuelled fantasies' behind the claims of airline bosses and Government ministers that continued growth of the aviation industry strengthens the UK economy, does not undermine the emissions reductions needed to avert catastrophic climate change and can play a positive role in the fight against global poverty.

Plane Truths the majority of tourism takes place within, rather than between regions. This means that investment in better regional transport infrastructure will play a critical role in reducing emissions while maintaining the many cultural, and local economic benefits that tourism can deliver.

The report finds that policy measures to date, such as Air Passenger Duty (APD) in the UK and the European Union (EU)'s emissions trading scheme, will have little impact on the strong and environmentally destructive growth trend in aviation. The authors argue that Government must show leadership, by taking action to reduce emissions from aviation, and include them in the climate change bill; halting planned airport expansion; and ensuring that proposed taxes on flights is set at a high enough rate to reduce demand for short-haul flights.

Plane Truths was produced in partnership with the World Development Movement (WDM).