ETA

A “suppressed” report on the environmental impact of aviation indicates that the amount of emissions produced by the sector is likely to be greater than many industry experts predicted.

The report, Trends in Global Noise and Emissions From Commercial Aviation 2000-2025, warns total emissions from the global aviation sector will soar from 572 million tonnes in 2000 to between 1.2 billion and 1.4 billion tonnes by 2025.

Jeff Gazzard, a board member for lobby group the Aviation Environment Federation said that the report appeared to be accurate, but that it had been “suppressed” because its findings are controversial.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said: “If the airlines had to pay the full economic and environmental cost associated with flying there would be less cause for concern.”

Last month the Association of Train Operating Companies claimed that high speed rail travel can encourage people to use public transport, create investment opportunities and help solve capacity issues in the future.

The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.