Background on Key Participants
On June 30, eight countries—including France, Kenya, and Spain—established a coalition to advance taxation in the aviation sector. The aim is to impose taxes on private jets and passengers traveling in business or premium classes. The coalition was announced during a United Nations conference on development financing in Seville, Spain.
The participating nations are France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda. These countries will focus on introducing a specific tax for business class tickets and private jets, according to the Elysée Palace.
Coalition’s Objectives
The coalition aims to enhance the contribution of the aviation sector to climate resilience, as stated by Spanish President Pedro Sánchez. The primary goals are to:
- Increase the number of countries applying aviation ticket taxes, including luxury travel;
- Tax private jets based on best practices;
- Ensure greater progressivity in countries already implementing these taxes.
The Elysée Palace confirmed this initiative, emphasizing the objective of improving national income mobilization for developing countries and supporting international solidarity, particularly for climate change adaptation.
Greenpeace’s Reaction
Greenpeace, an environmental NGO, welcomed the coalition’s formation. In a statement, Greenpeace urged all countries to join and uphold the commitments made by this “new coalition of solidarity” ahead of the COP30 climate change conference in November in Belém, Brazil.
This coalition was initiated during COP28 in Dubai in 2023, with Barbados, France, and Kenya leading a working group supported by the European Commission. The group explored the possibility of implementing global solidarity taxes on polluting sectors, such as fossil fuel energy production and aviation.
In a June 19 report, the group estimated that such measures could generate substantial revenue, potentially amounting to €187 billion if widely adopted.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who formed the coalition? Eight countries—France, Kenya, Spain, Benin, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda.
- What is the coalition’s main goal? To impose taxes on private jets and business class flights to support climate resilience and developing countries.
- How much revenue could these taxes generate? Up to €187 billion if implemented globally, according to a report by the working group.
- What is Greenpeace’s stance on this coalition? Greenpeace supports the initiative and encourages more countries to join and uphold their commitments.
