Evaluating EU Parties' Commitment to Sustainable Aviation
Discover how each European party plans to address the urgent challenges of aviation policy and climate change ahead of the upcoming EU elections.
About Stay Grounded
Our Mission and Analysis
Stay Grounded is a people-powered, science-based, and action-oriented global network of more than 200 initiatives that campaign for a a sustainable mobility system through a reduction of aviation and its disastrous impacts on people and the planet.
In light of the upcoming European Union elections, we have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of the manifestos of all ten European-level parties. This analysis focuses on their commitments to reforming aviation policies, aiming to gauge their readiness to transition towards a more sustainable and just mobility framework. This initiative is part of our broader effort to influence policy and advocate for systemic change in the transportation sector.
This analysis at the EU-level is particularly pertinent when we consider the recent report of the European Scientific Advisory Board, which found that aviation is a particular area of concern for the EU’s chances of meeting its climate targets (read the full report).
Rating Criteria Overview
To objectively assess each party’s commitment to sustainable aviation, we established ten critical criteria. These criteria are the result of years of research by Stay Grounded and by academics on how to make the aviation industry more sustainable.
1. Flight reduction policies
The science is clear: the only way to make aviation sustainable is to reduce flights. Anything else leads to climate destruction. For example, even Transport and Environment’s highly optimistic projection for the scalability of sustainable aviation fuels makes clear that for the EU to make its climate targets, the number of flights must be heavily reduced. There are many ways to reduce flights, such as by capping the number of flights per airport or rationing flights among the population.
2. Just transition policies for workers
Workers should not pay the price for the inevitable degrowth of the aviation industry. If airlines have their way, the industry will continue growing until it collapses and workers are left without jobs. The alternative is to guide the aviation industry towards a safe landing, and provide a just transition for the workers affected.
3. No new airport infrastructure
New airports and expanded airports are not only a disaster for the planet; airport expansionism has disastrous impacts on the health of the community’s near airports. This is why we say aviation is a health issue.
4. Ban private jets
Up to 30 times more polluting than a commercial flight, and reserved for the super-polluting super-rich, private jets are not only an unnecessary harm – they are the pinnacle of climate injustice. Banning them. is a common sense policy that will have no impact on ordinary citizens.
5. Ban short-haul flights
There is no excuse for climate-killing short-haul flights when train alternatives exist, which is why the French Government recently banned short-haul flights when rail alternatives of 2.5 hours or less exist. This law is imperfect, but a common sense policy for the EU to build upon.
6. Frequent flying levy
Less than 1% of the global population is responsible for half of global emissions from flying. The necessary work to reduce flights should start with those who fly the most, who tend to also have the most money and privilege. This is a matter of basic social justice.
7. Tax aircraft fuel
When a worker fills the tank of their car, they are taxed to reflect the social, economic and environmental cost of their choice to drive. This is common sense policy. It is outrageous that when an airline puts fuel into their aircraft, they do not pay any tax. The European Climate Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, has already called for a kerosene tax at the international level – it’s time for that to happen at the EU level.
8. End aviation subsidies
The first step to addressing the climate crisis is to stop funding the companies that are fuelling that crisis. Aviation is an easy place to start, given the billions of euros that governments pour into direct and indirect subidies, such as by propping up airports that would otherwise be unprofitable.
9. Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
So-called sustainable aviation fuel is not only a false promise, it is also leading to land grabs and the plundering of resources by European Countries in the Global South. The impacts of this are disastrous for local communities.
10. Improve Europe’s rail network
Degrowth means building a better alternative. For mobility within Europe, this means replacing planes with trains. This could easily be funded, for example, by ending aviation subsidies.
Our Analysis
The headline news is that most parties are failing spectacularly to recognise the scale of crisis that is being caused by the aviation industry.
The Greens and the Left are in a league of their own, with both getting more than 5/10. Both parties could strengthen their position among climate-concerned voters by taking a more radical approach to flight reduction and ending airport expansionism. More concerning, however, is that even some parties that have strong rhetoric on climate such as the Party of European Socialists are not backing that up with any meaningful policy for aviation. Meanwhile, both the conservative EPP and the liberal EDP are actively rowing against climate action, and instead hint towards continued aviation growth. On the extreme right, the abject proposals of ECR and the absence of any proposals at all from ID come as no surprise.
1st - EGP
⬜ Flight reduction policies
Summary: While the Greens explicitly promise to reduce flights, and propose several policies to this end in the form of a frequent flying levy, investing in rail, banning private jets, and banning short-haul flights, it is not entirely clear that these alone would reduce flights to a significant degree if not accompanied by policies such as a cap on the the number of flights each citizen can take.
Quote: “We will reduce demand for flights, introducing a frequent flyer levy, with exceptions for island regions, and banning short-haul where alternatives are available.”
✅ Just transition for workers
Summary: We are pleased to read that the manifesto clearly advocates for just transition measures for transport workers, emphasising safety and rights.
Quote: “We defend a just transition for all transport workers and will protect workers and passengers through road safety measures and an EU-wide speed limit.”
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: Given the Greens’ many other commitments on aviation, it is disappointing that the manifesto does not address the urgent need to end airport expansionism, both in the form of new airports and expanded airports.
Quote: None identified.
✅ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto clearly promises to ban private jets.
Quote: “We will fight to introduce a ban on private jets.”
✅ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto supports the common sense policy of a gradual ban on short-haul flights where rail alternatives exist. Given the wildly different interpretations of “reasonable rail alternatives”, it would be good for the party to clarify the policy.
Quote: “In the transport sector, for example, phasing out short-distance air travel when reasonable rail alternatives exist, putting a limit on the weight of private cars or developing high-quality rail or would lead to a reduction in energy demand.”
✅ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto promises a levy on frequent flyers to discourage excessive air travel.
Quote: “We will reduce demand for flights, introducing a frequent flyer levy.”
✅ Tax jet fuel
Summary: Supports implementing taxes on kerosene to reflect the disastrous environmental costs of air travel. Interestingly, the proposal to tax “air travel” also implies either further environmentally-motivated taxation of aviation, such as ending the VAT exemption or introducing a tax on airline companies themselves.
Quote: “We will make sure that fairer prices show the real cost of polluting transport, taxing air travel and fuel properly.”
✅ End aviation subsidies
Summary: Proposes ending environmentally harmful subsidies, especially fossil fuel subsidies by 2027. It is fair to assume that given the other measures proposed against aviation, the EGP considers aviation subsidies to constitute “environmentally harmful subsidies”. We would welcome if EGP would explicit this point to avoid any doubt.
Quote: “Europe needs a plan to phase out all fossil fuels subsidies by 2025 at the latest, and all other environmentally harmful subsidies by 2027 at the latest.”
✅ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto details improved standards for resource extraction in the EU and then says that these standards should also be applied outside the EU. The manifesto also states the general goal of avoiding extraction as much as possible. While the examples focus on mining, the proposals would still cover the harm caused by the aviation industry’s race to plunder the Global South for so-called Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
Quote 1: “If extraction in the EU proves to be necessary to ensure secure and sustainable supply chains, we must impose the highest environmental and social standards. There should be no exemptions from EU legislation or human and environmental rights conditions, strict and irreversible “no-mining” areas, and continuous effort to improve mining techniques and working conditions (including health and safety coverage) and ban of the most harmful ones. Affected communities – particularly Europe’s last indigenous community, the Sami people – must receive early information, participation, consent, and fair compensation.”
Quote 2: “Countries around the world must benefit so the green transition does not become a race that excludes the Global South. At the same, the EU’s immediate need for metals and other resources cannot be satisfied without access to new materials. The EU must therefore speed up its transition towards a fully circular economy to reuse materials as long as possible and meet ambitious resource reduction targets. Furthermore, it needs to enable resource-rich countries to extract, process, and recycle raw materials, while prioritizing a “people and planet” approach that protects the rights of communities, especially those of Indigenous people, nature, and biodiversity.
The Global South must be supported so that extraction can be done according to the same conditions as within the EU. The EU’s resource needs should not further exacerbate existing inequalities, nor climate and environmental injustice. Our sufficiency approach, backed up by reduction and recycling targets within the EU, will help minimize the global mining sector’s huge impact in terms of human rights violations, environment destruction, and climate.
Resource justice also entails stopping dumping our waste in countries in the Global South. It is therefore important to adopt clear end-of-waste criteria at the EU level, such as for plastics and textiles, to avoid the classification of waste as second-hand goods. This step would also stimulate the development of recycling activities, skills and capacities in the EU. We call for a collective purchasing strategy and cooperation for rare-earth elements. The use of such elements should be prioritized for those industries most relevant to the ecological transition.”
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: Commits to substantial investments in rail transport and modernising infrastructure.
Quote 1: “We need to massively increase investment in and coordination of rail transport to literally connect Europe as part of our Infrastructure Union.”
Quote 2: “In the transport sector, for example, phasing out short-distance air travel when reasonable rail alternatives exist, putting a limit on the weight of private cars or developing high-quality rail or would lead to a reduction in energy demand.”
2nd - PEL
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: While the Left’s manifesto does specify the need to undergo significant changes in order to reach the Paris Agreement targets, and while the science is clear that this includes a reduction in flights, the party does not make this connection.
Quote: “We need to undergo significant social and economic transformations to reach the Paris Agreement targets and thus guarantee that the next generation will still have the right to a sustainable future on a healthy planet.”
✅ Just transition for workers
Summary: The manifesto emphasises the need for a just transition that includes all workers, with a strong focus on ensuring no worker is left unemployed due to ecological transitions.
Quote: “No worker should end up unemployed because of the ecological and energy transition which, alongside a reduction in environmentally harmful jobs, must bring the expansion of other, green forms of employment.”
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: Given the Left’s many other commitments on climate and social justice, it is disappointing that the manifesto does not address the urgent need to end airport expansionism, both in the form of new airports and expanded airports.
Quote: None identified.
✅ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto clearly promises to ban private jets.
Quote: “Ban private flights, prioritise trains for journeys under two and a half hours, revive night trains, and expand networks as needed.”
⬜ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: While the party supports prioritising trains over short flights as part of environmental policy, they do not clarify what exactly this means, leaving it open to interpretation whether it includes the banning of short-haul flights.
Quote: “Prioritise trains for journeys under two and a half hours.”
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: Given the Left’s many other commitments on the use of taxation for climate and social justice, it is disappointing that the manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: None identified.
✅ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto promises a tax on aircraft fuel.
Quote: “Impose equal taxes on aircraft and car fuels, eliminating CO2 exemptions.”
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention subsidies.
Quote: No quote identified.
✅ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary:There is a focus on reducing the EU’s negative impact on local communities globally, which includes by implication the disastrous consequences of the so-called sustainable aviation fuel industry’s extraction of resources in the Global South.
Quote 1: “We demand the cancellation of the EU’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with the countries of the Global South and their replacement with new international agreements, trade control and investment treaties for co-development and public goods that respect industrial and agricultural sovereignty, fair trade and social and environmental development, promoting the consumption of locally produced goods and short distribution channels. This must be done in an independent manner, without subordinating these relations to the geopolitical interests of the USA and NATO.”
Quote 2: “”We call on the EU to break with its neocolonial style of domination and relaunch its trade and financial relations with the Global South on a new basis.”
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto commits to expanding and prioritising train networks as a sustainable form of transport.
Quote 1: “Prioritise trains for journeys under two and a half hours, revive night trains, and expand networks as needed.”
Quote 2: “Our priority is a massive investment spending plan for the creation of green jobs, based on the revitalisation of SMEs and essential public services, the care economy, and the transformation of industry, transport and energy in line with the needs of the population and the limits of the planet.”
3rd - PES
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: Despite their strong rhetoric on climate change, the Party of European Socialists does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights, or indeed propose any policies that would tackle the aviation industry’s destruction of our planet.
Quote: No quote identified.
✅ Just transition for workers
Summary: The manifesto includes just transition policies broadly across sectors that could encompass aviation and tourism workers.
Quote: “A new Green and Social Deal for a just transition with clean, secure and affordable energy; new quality jobs in a green, carbon-free circular economy; and a liveable planet.”
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy. We hope that their demand for “big polluters” and the “ultra-rich” to pay their fair share does include frequent flyers, who are overwhelmingly wealthy mega-polluters but the wording is too vague for us to be sure. We are happy to receive clarification from PES.
Quote: “Large corporations, big polluters and the ultra-rich must pay their fair share in Europe and around the world, through effective taxes on corporations, windfall profits, capital, financial transactions and the wealthiest individuals.”
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax. We hope that the party’s demand for “large corporations” and “big polluters” to pay their fair share does include aviation industry but the wording is too vague for us to be sure. We are happy to receive clarification from PES that they do think the aviation industry should be taxed fairly, including with kerosine.
Quote: “Large corporations, big polluters and the ultra-rich must pay their fair share in Europe and around the world, through effective taxes on corporations, windfall profits, capital, financial transactions and the wealthiest individuals.”
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
⬜ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto highlights a commitment to sustainable development globally and fair international cooperation but does not directly address local community impacts or specific extraction issues that are relevant to the sustainable aviation fuel industry’s plundering of resources in the Global South.
Quote 1: “We will build a new partnership of equals with the Global South through a strong Africa-EU Partnership on social progress, the economy, green energy, climate change, migration and democracy, a relaunched Euro-Mediterranean partnership and a new EU-Latin America Progressive Agenda.”
Quote 2: “We will implement an ambitious and fair EU trade agenda that promotes binding human rights, social, labour, and environmental standards and close cooperation based on the Sustainable Development Goals.”
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto advocates for the support of clean, affordable, and sustainable public transport, including a large railway network, highlighting a commitment to mobility poverty reduction and sustainable transport.
Quote: “The EU must fight mobility poverty and support clean, affordable and sustainable public transport in all regions, including a large railway network.”
4th - EDP
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The manifesto of the European Christian Political Movement does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights in order to address the climate crisis. In fact, the party appears to advocate for increasing intra-EU flights, and makes the unscientific suggestion that zero-emission aircraft are a possibility.
Quote 1: “there can be no autonomy without transport. In this area, as well as adopting new digital and energy technologies, we are committed to investing in an efficient network of high-speed rail, air and sea links. We are convinced that improving infrastructure will facilitate cross-border travel and promote European integration. By developing transport – especially public transport – we will increase trade, encourage intra-European tourism and make it easier for people to get around.”
Quote 2: “Make the European Union a leader in zero-emission aircraft.”
⬜ Just transition for workers
Summary: The manifesto recognises the need for an ecological transition and for workers to be protected, but only include certain workers in this – to the exclusion of transport and aviation workers.
Quote: “The ecological transition must be pragmatic and inclusive, guided by technology, far from ideological dogmatism and in no way punitive towards families, businesses or professionals in the primary sector, farmers and fishermen.”
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy. In fact, the EDP appears to want to make flying even cheaper – despite the fact that ticket prices are already heavily subsidised.
Quote: “Regulate air transport with agreements on intra-Community airport taxes for European carriers to reduce consumer fares and strengthen European territorial continuity with direct links to other European countries.”
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax. In fact, the EDP appears to want to make flying even cheaper – despite the fact that ticket prices are already heavily subsidised.
Quote: “Regulate air transport with agreements on intra-Community airport taxes for European carriers to reduce consumer fares and strengthen European territorial continuity with direct links to other European countries.”
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
⬜ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto addresses the sustainable exploitation of resources and monitoring, which can be indirectly related to minimising damage by extractivism.
Quote: “Develop the sustainable exploitation of strategic raw materials in the European Union”.
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto emphasizes investment in a network of high-speed rail.
Quote: “Improve cross-border connectivity through a European network of high-speed rail”.
5th - ECPM
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The manifesto of the European Christian Political Movement does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights in order to address the climate crisis. The manifesto talks of decarbonising transport, which logically includes replacing air traffic with rail, but does not make this link explicit.
Quote: “Since transportation is the second-largest source of emissions in Europe, we support efforts to decarbonize it and replace it with clean, sustainable options.”
❌ Just transition for workers
Summary: The ECPM party does not propose any policies to protect the workers who are being impacted by climate change.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
✅ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto takes a strong stance against the colonial extraction model which the sustainable aviation fuel employs in its plundering of resources in the Global South.
Quote 1: “Any policy which deprives the Global South of equity and justice and perpetuates the colonial extraction model is to be rejected.”
Quote 2: “We also advocate for economic justice and equitable development between Europe and the global south and are against greedy, colonial-minded extraction of the South’s resources and its pollution.”
⬜ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the hugely beneficial possibilities of improving Europe’s rail network for the population. The manifesto talks of decarbonising transport, which logically includes replacing air traffic with rail, but does not make this link explicit.
Quote: “Since transportation is the second-largest source of emissions in Europe, we support efforts to decarbonize it and replace it with clean, sustainable options.”
6th (tie) - ALDE
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The manifesto of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights in order to address the climate crisis.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Just transition for workers
Summary: The manifesto does not propose any policies to protect the workers who are being impacted by climate change.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the plundering of resources for so-called sustainable aviation fuel, nor the disastrous impacts of European extractivism in the Global South generally.
Quote: No quote identified.
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto commits to digitally modernising railway as well as making an unclear mention of “capacity” and hinting towards a “functional pan-European rail network.
Quote 1: “Support the green transition by ensuring high quality mobile network connectivity, capacity, and latency on railways.”
Quote 2: “Facilitate intra-European cooperation across sectors, such as a functional pan-European rail network”.
6th (tie) - EPP
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The manifesto of the European People’s Party does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights in order to address the climate crisis.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Just transition for workers
Summary: The EPP does not propose any policies to protect the workers who are being impacted by climate change.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism. In fact, it actively promises to complete the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) infrastructures, which includes new airport infrastructure, as well as roads, airport and water transport infrastructure.
Quote: “We will concentrate our efforts on streamlining the completion and development of the new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) infrastructures, which are crucial for structuring our European territory and enhancing the efficiency of the European Single Market.”
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the plundering of resources for so-called sustainable aviation fuel, nor the disastrous impacts of European extractivism in the Global South generally.
Quote: No quote identified.
✅ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto promises to complete the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) infrastructures, which includes new airport infrastructure, as well as roads, airport and water transport infrastructure.
Quote: “We will concentrate our efforts on streamlining the completion and development of the new Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) infrastructures, which are crucial for structuring our European territory and enhancing the efficiency of the European Single Market.”
8th - EFA
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The manifesto of the European Free Alliance Party does not recognise the urgent need to reduce flights in order to address the climate crisis.
Quote: No quote identified.
⬜ Just transition for workers
Summary:The manifesto implicitly supports a just transition but does not mention workers in general, never mind aviation or tourism workers.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the plundering of resources for so-called sustainable aviation fuel, nor the disastrous impacts of European extractivism in the Global South generally.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the hugely beneficial possibilities of improving Europe’s rail network for the population.
Quote: No quote identified.
9th - ECR
❌ Flight reduction policies
Summary: The brief manifesto of the European Conservatives and Reformists Party does not mention flight reduction policies or, indeed, any aviation policies.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Just transition for workers
Summary: Despite their populist rhetoric, the ECR Party do not propose any policies to protect the workers who are being impacted by climate change.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ No new airport infrastructure
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the urgent need to end airport expansionism – either by preventing new airports from being opened or existing airports from being expanded.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban private jets
Summary: The manifesto does not mention the gravely unjust issue of private jets.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Ban short-haul flights
Summary: The manifesto does not mention short-haul flights.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax frequent flying
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a frequent flying levy.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Tax jet fuel
Summary: The manifesto does not mention a kerosene tax.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ End aviation subsidies
Summary: The manifesto does not mention aviation subsidies, or environmentally destructive subsidies in general.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Decolonise jet fuel: end the SAF-fuelled plundering of the Global South
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the plundering of resources for so-called sustainable aviation fuel, nor the disastrous impacts of European extractivism in the Global South generally.
Quote: No quote identified.
❌ Improve Europe’s rail network
Summary: The manifesto does not recognise the hugely beneficial possibilities of improving Europe’s rail network for the population.
Quote: No quote identified.
Last - ID
The esteem with which the so-called ‘Identity and Democracy’ party hold European democracy can be summarised by the fact that they did not go to the effort of producing a manifesto. Considering that even a bad manifesto is better than no manifesto, we have ranked ID in last place.
Our Methodology
How We Analyze Aviation Policies
Our analysis combines detailed manual evaluation with cutting-edge AI techniques to ensure the accuracy and objectivity of our findings. This dual approach allows us to minimise the potential for error in assessing each party’s commitment to sustainable aviation practices.
We remain open to feedback and clarifications, especially from the parties. This openness helps us refine our understanding and improve the accuracy of our ratings, ensuring they reflect the most current and relevant information.
Learn More
Resources and References
Access our comprehensive resource list to explore detailed reports and additional materials that deepen your understanding of the criteria we use and the broader impacts of aviation on climate change.
These resources are invaluable for activists, researchers, and anyone interested in learning more about the intersection of aviation and environmental policy.
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