At COP30, a coalition of 13 countries announced a landmark declaration to impose taxes on private jets and business or first-class flights, with the proceeds directed toward climate action.
The decision marks one of the strongest international attempts to make high-emission luxury travel contribute to climate financing, though only two high-income countries have signed on so far.
Under the initiative, each participating nation will set its own tax structure, but all will target luxury air travel, which produces disproportionately high levels of emissions.
The coalition argues that the highest polluters must bear the greatest responsibility for combating climate change.
Notably, most of the participating countries are from the Global South, even though citizens of wealthy nations are responsible for the majority of emissions linked to luxury travel.
Coalition members have extended invitations for additional countries to join the effort.
Mattias Söderberg, climate advisor at DanChurchAid, described the move as a long-overdue step toward climate accountability.
He noted that private jet travel emits significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide per passenger than any other mode of transport and has largely escaped meaningful taxation.
“This initiative deserves to be celebrated,” Söderberg said. “Finally, some governments are taking leadership and introducing taxes on private jet travel. These flights emit far more CO₂ per passenger than any other form of transport.”
He, however, criticised high-income nations for their limited participation, calling it disappointing and arguing that the countries most responsible for luxury emissions should be the first to act.
“The richest nations whose citizens are most responsible for luxury emissions should be the first to act, not the last,” he said, adding that it was embarrassing that lower- and middle-income countries were showing more courage on climate justice than the wealthiest states.
For many Global South nations already facing climate-related losses and damages, the proposed taxes could generate critical resources for adaptation efforts. Söderberg stressed that every mechanism that both reduces emissions and mobilises finance for vulnerable populations is essential.
“Every initiative that reduces emissions and generates finance for vulnerable communities counts, and this one sends a clear message: it’s time for the richest to pay their share,” he said.
He expressed hope that more countries would sign on to the declaration in the coming days, potentially expanding its impact and signalling broader global commitment to climate equity.
