Economists propose adding $200 tax to business class fares, all for the planet's sake

There's nothing that air travelers love more than noticing that a new tax or fee has been added to the cost of their tickets. But what if those fees weren't for the benefit of the airline, but to help the planet? French economists Lucas Chancel and Thomas Piketty have proposed that a €180 ($196) fee should be added to business class fares – and an extra €20 ($21.50) to economy class tickets – to help balance the global disparities in carbon emissions.

Piketty, whose bestselling book Capital in the Twenty-First Century focused on global inequality, believes that the individuals who are responsible for more carbon emissions — such as, um, those who can afford to fly — should have to pay to help those in developing countries who do not contribute to climate change, but will still have to suffer its effects. Chancel, a researcher who studies sustainable development concepts and economic inequalities, told Climate Home:

"Taxing flights is one way to target high emitting lifestyles, especially if we tax business class more than economy class. A tax on air tickets to finance development programs already exists in some countries. What we need is to increase its level and generalize it."

The Guardian writes that the carbon emissions from the richest 1% in the United States, Luxembourg and Saudi Arabia are more than 25 times the global average. This tax on air travel has been suggested because it would be easy to implement, although it may not appropriately sanction the "top emitters."

According to a recent report from the International Council on Clean Transportation, commercial aircraft — including passenger, cargo, and other charter flights — accounted for 11% of the U.S. transportation sector’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2013. Those who fly in first and business class have a carbon footprint that is nine times higher than that of economy class customers. And they might soon be paying an extra tax to prove it.