AIRLINES should pay for their impact on climate change but oppose an environmental tax, according to the head of SAS Scandinavian Airlines.
SAS is in the vanguard of airlines pushing to join the European Union emissions trading scheme, which allows firms to buy and sell carbon dioxide allowances.
SAS president and chief executive Joergen Lindegaard conceded support for the scheme was in part to head off pressure for an environmental tax on air travel, which is more intense in Scandinavia than in the UK.
“We’re a polluting industry – let’s not hide it,” he said. “But the issue is being used by politicians to talk about taxes. It is because governments need the money. Politicians should not be taxing us to defend the environment.”
Lindegaard said the EU emissions trading scheme was the fairest solution estimating it would add €1 per leg to short-haul fares.
However, he said better air-traffic control and fuel efficiency were also needed to address environmental concerns. “It is a very good way to show a commitment to the principle that the polluter should pay,” said Lindegaard.
“Paying for the pollution does not take it away, but the polluting industry should pay and emission trading is the only way right now to make companies accountable for pollution.
“I’ve heard the argument it is too complicated and not possible to find the right calculation method but it’s just an excuse.”
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