Policies at national, EU and international level increasingly emphasise the urgency of climate action and the responsibility of companies to actively reduce their emissions.
The following developments converge in showing the way for businesses to move away from climate-intensive flying towards more sustainable modes of travel and connectivity.
Multimodal Digital Services Mobility
Initiative aimed at facilitating for travelers the comparison and combination of transport offers, within and across modes
Coalition for Global Premium Flying Solidarity Levies
The Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition is responsible to develop proposals targeting undertaxed sectors that contribute significantly to global carbon emissions and benefit extensively from globalisation. At COP30, they called for taxes on private and business/first-class flights at COP30.
EU standard for calculating and comparing transport emissions – ‘CountEmissions EU’
The EU has agreed on a unified methodology to calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport services. The new rules aim to make it easier to compare the environmental impact of different transport modes, helping consumers and businesses make informed choices while reducing greenwashing risks.
Commission Plan to Accelerate High-Speed Rail across Europe
The European Commission published a plan to accelerate the development of high‑speed rail across the EU by 2040, making many rail journeys significantly faster and more competitive. The initiative supports Europe’s goals of achieving carbon‐neutrality by 2050 and strengthening its global competitiveness.
Austria’s Short-Haul Flight Ban
Following the European Commission approval of a €150 million loan to Austrian Airlines to help compensate for losses caused by the coronavirus outbreak, the government discontinued short-haul flights with a train alternative of under 3 hours (airport to airport) until July 2030.
Spanish Sustainable Mobility Law to Accelerate Transport Decarbonisation
It marks a major step forward in the country’s efforts to decarbonise the transport sector.
Netherlands Establishes Differentiated Flight Tax based on Travel Distance
The Netherlands has established a new tax plan featuring a range of measures aimed at creating a fairer and more effective tax system.
France Introduces New Private Jet Tax
Starting March 1, France introduced a new departure tax that increases the per-passenger cost of private flights. Designed to support environmental initiatives, the measure is expected to generate up to €1 billion in public revenue.
UK Private Jet Tax Rates Based on Flight Distance
The UK set tax rates on private jets for the period from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. The amount will vary based on the flight distance from London to the destination.
The Netherlands Climate Agreement mandates business travel emission reduction
The Netherlands has made travel emissions reductions a requirement: starting in July 2024, businesses above 100 employees are required to report annually to the government on progress towards the mandated 50% decrease in domestic mobility emissions by 2030, from 2016 levels.
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive
The EU has adopted new due diligence rules for large companies, to include the adoption of a climate transition plan containing emissions reduction objectives
SEC Rules to Enhance and Standardise Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has adopted the first mandatory national climate disclosure rules. The rules require large public companies operating in the U.S. to provide information in their annual reports on corporate greenhouse gas emissions, environmental impacts, the impact of climate change on operations and profitability, and targets and transition plans.
French Energy Sobriety Plan, act II
The French Energy Sobriety Plan details the 20 mandatory measures aiming at facilitating the French state’s ecological transition. This means that these measures’ ultimate objective is to reduce demand to accelerate the decarbonise of the State’s energy and economy.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
EU adopts new rules for corporate reporting by 50,000 large businesses, including travel emissions
The White House publish its new travel policy for federal employees
The federal employees will use rail for trips less than 250 miles (around 400km) when cost-effective and available, instead of taking an airplane or vehicle.
California Corporate Climate Accountability Act
US California legislation for corporate reporting by large companies doing business in the state, including travel emissions
Swiss Climate Law for Net Zero by 2050
Switzerland votes yes to climate law for net zero by 2050, including aviation and requiring company alignment
France bans short-haul domestic flights in favour of train travel
France bans short-haul flights under 2,5 hours
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport Says Private Jets ‘No Longer Welcome’
NL Schiphol airport announces a ban on private jets (blocked by court ruling)
Dutch Cabinet Introduces CO2 Emission Caps for Flights Starting 2025
Flights will have their CO2 emissions capped from 2025 depending on the Dutch airport
Strengthening the sustainability and fairness of the aviation sector
France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal note that air transport is sometimes used irresponsibly when the journey could be made using a zero carbon alternative mode or replaced by a video conference
Integrity Matters: Net Zero Commitments by Businesses, Financial Institutions, Cities and Regions
UN expert group recommends businesses reduce absolute emissions as fast as possible, aligning or exceeding national targets, setting first targets for 2025, including for Scope 3 emissions
French Sobriety plan: how companies can help save energy
France recommends to businesses to save energy by using rail rather than air travel for trips under 4 hours, and using videoconferencing to avoid unnecessary travel
Emissions Gap Report 2022
Published by UNEP, the report highlights the urgent need for action to reduce emissions. Governments, the private sector, and civil society, must set and achieve ambitious targets, investing in clean energy and sustainable transport, and working together to tackle the global challenge of climate change.
Voluntary Carbon Markets and Offsetting
UK Climate Change Committee recommends that businesses prioritise replacing all air travel with alternatives where available, before purchasing offsets
Net-Zero Public Data Utility
Launch of development of global tool to make available company climate transition-related data, including on specific actions to reach net-zero targets, and emissions
Dutch government issues world-first cap on flights from European hub
NL Schiphol airport announces a permanent 12% cut in annual flights compared to 2019, to comply with legislation on noise and air pollution
UK government launches new taskforce to develop best practice for UK climate transition plans
UK Transition Plan Taskforce starts work on new “gold standard” for for best practice private sector transition plans, including Scope 3 emissions reduction targets and disclosure of business travel policies
Greening the Commission
EU Commission sets target to reduce its staff business travel emissions by 50% by 2024, as compared to 2019
Climate Change 2022: Mitigation of climate change
IPCC concludes that the greatest potential for avoiding emissions comes from reducing long-haul aviation, and highlights that integrating virtual technologies into business models can avoid long-haul flying for meetings.
Sustainability-related disclosure in the financial services sector
EU sets new disclosure standards for financial actors, with mandatory disclosure of Scope 3 emissions
10-point plan to reduce oil use
IEA recommends reducing business flights as part of its 10-point plan to reduce oil use
How can investors ensure a 1.5°C future for the aviation sector?
CA100+ investor group highlights that corporates have a role to play in reducing their business travel, as demand for air travel will have to be constrained in order to limit global temperature rise to safe levels
IEA Net Zero Emissions by 2050
IEA's Net Zero Emissions by 2050 aims at enhancing the sustaianbility of the energy sector, inlcuding transport demand. This roadmap explains the key role by behaviour change to achive the emissions reduction in aviation
