By Katharina Wiese.
The aviation industry is the most climate-harming mode of transport. The total global warming impact of each flight is thought to be around twice as high as only the CO2 emissions. Plane engines also generate a host of other “emissions” such as nitrous oxide, water vapour and soot. While flying was something special maybe 20 years ago, it has almost become normal for people in the Global North to just fly somewhere for the weekend. With decreasing prices for flights, the industry expects a doubling of air passengers. More than 1.200 airport infrastructure projects are being planned.
A number of technologies designed to reduce the environmental impact of flying have been researched, tested and implemented without any success. As there is no such thing as an eco-friendly flight, it is time to start talking about a degrowth process of aviation. The Stay Grounded network, together with civil society organisations and the Institute for Ecological Sciences and Technology ICTA in Barcelona, organizes the conference Degrowth of Aviation. It brings together social movements, NGOs and scientists in order to discuss concrete measures and strategies to reduce air traffic.
The concept
The conference will take place in Can Batlló, Barcelona and will be flight-free, which is why several sessions will involve online participation for those who live too far away. The conference will mainly behold in English, with interpretation into Spanish and possibly other languages.
The focus of the conference will be parallel expert group working sessions in the following topics:
- Taxes on kerosene, tickets or VAT
- Frequent flyer levy (progressive tax on flights)
- Limits/ caps/ bans of domestic flights, short haul flights, flights per city/ airport or low-cost airlines
- Institutional changes of travel policies
- Moratoriums on new airport infrastructure or reduced airports (like shutting down regional airports)
- Caps on tourism
- Fostering alternatives
How to register?
The participation fee depends on the personal budget and range between 10 and 50 €. The fee partially includes food and coffee during the breaks. Registration is open here.
The project ENVJUSTICE has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 695446)