Green fees for flights

Passengers set to be slugged in carbon-offset push

PASSENGERS will have to pay carbon-offset charges as part of their airfares if the global aviation industry adopts a netzero emissions target this week.

Experts are warning that airlines will need to mandate carbon-offset fees – currently optional – to meet the target.

The fees vary depending on the sector, airline and scheme, but for an economy seat, Qantas charges an optional $1.96 to offset a Sydney-Melbourne return flight and $44.34 for Sydney to London return.

Members of the International Air Travel Association (IATA) are meeting in Boston and are expected to debate a net-zero 2050 emissions goal in coming days.

Industry action on emissions reduction is accelerating, propelled in part by the rise of “flight shaming”. Air France had to drop short-haul flights as a condition of a government bailout in 2020, due to concerns about emissions.

And last month, the One World alliance – which includes Qantas – released its road map for net-zero by 2050, saying it would achieve the goal through fleet modernisation, operating efficiencies, sustainable aviation fuels and carbon offsets and removals.

The IATA meeting comes less than a month before the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow, at which more nations, including Australia, are expected to commit to netzero 2050 goals, as well as stronger interim targets.

International aviation creates about 2.5 per cent of all global emissions.