Environmental group proposes less polluting transport alternatives to avoid a climate catastrophe
About a third of short-haul air travel in Europe, including Madrid-Barcelona, Paris-Amsterdam and Munich-Berlin, can be made by train because they are much less polluting, according to a Greenpeace study.
This report was published just days before the COP26 summit in Glasgow, Scotland. Political leaders, organizations and activists from more than 200 countries will try to find solutions to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Greenpeace asks for government funding to improve rail infrastructure, cheaper train travel and revive underutilized routes. The group said reducing air traffic is essential to rapidly reducing carbon dioxide emissions. They are also pushing for an end to policies that lower the price of airline tickets.
Airplanes emit five times more CO2 than trains
In turn, the aviation industry asks for a boost with incentives. They want to accelerate the implementation of technologies like sustainable fuels – and fight more drastic measures that would increase costs or reduce flights.
Shorter routes are more harmful per passenger and per kilometer because of the energy required for takeoff, according to Greenpeace. Airplanes emit approximately five times more CO2 than trains on similar routes. Value that varies according to the type of plane, the duration of the trip, whether the train is diesel or electric and how electricity is generated, according to the article.
Governments have taken some steps to limit flights. They think of the resurgence of the Trans Europ Express (TEE) network that would transport passengers between Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.
In addition, Spanish state-owned railway operator Renfe wants to compete with Eurostar International Ltd. on routes between London and Paris through the Channel Tunnel.
Taxes and limitations to promote more sustainable flights
The European Union has increased a fuel tax as part of its package Suitable for 55 to drive sustainable aviation fuels.
Some member states have tried to restrict short-haul flights to support those that rescued airlines from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Austria will impose a minimum price of 40 euros to discourage non-essential travel and will increase fares on flights of less than 350 kilometers to 30 euros. France, for its part, forced Air France-KLM to eliminate services between cities that are less than two and a half hours away by train.
Only a small group of routes will likely be banned, Greenpeace said, as airlines insist that some short-haul flights are necessary because they are essential connections for long-haul travel.
REFERENCE
Get On Track: train alternatives for short-haul flights in Europe