A frequent flyer tax is needed to limit “discretionary” flying for “high-earning” people in Ireland, a leading environmental journalist and commentator has said.

On Lunchtime Live today, John Gibbons said aviation was adversely impacting the climate and accounted for 3.5% of worldwide emissions.

He noted these emissions were caused by those living in “richer parts of the world,” like Ireland, as just 12.5% of the worldwide population has ever set foot on a plane.

Mr Gibbons said it is a “question of justice”.

“Is it okay for people from richer parts of the world like Ireland, to use up and overuse the global carbon budget and leave people in poorer parts of the world to take the hit,” he said.

“I appreciate people don’t want to hear that; we do like to present the idea that everyone is struggling, but the reality is it's actually very few.

“An awful lot of the flying that’s happening in and out of Ireland is discretionary.

“It’s induced demand; they’re flying because it’s so cheap and popping over to the Canaries because they got a good deal.”

A plane lands at Leeds Bradford Airport. Image: Danny Lawson/ Alamy.

Mr Gibbons said people are currently incentivised to fly.

“You have things like frequent flyer points and all the rest but you should actually reverse that system,” he said.

“The first 1,500km could be at the standard rate but beyond that, your next 1,500km could have an additional cost.

“I think it should be an exponential climb so you would, a €20 additional levy the second time you fly, for example.”

“On the third flight that levy would double, then the fourth it doubles again, the fifth it doubles again and the sixth flight it doubles again - it becomes prohibitive.”

'Amazing gift'

Mr Gibbons said aviation is an “amazing gift” but it must be limited for the climate’s sake.

“If aviation was a country, it would be in the top seven largest countries in the world for emissions – it’s a very significant contributor,” he said.

“What’s important to consider about aviation, versus a lot of other things we do, is that aviation on a worldwide basis is the preserve of the well-off.

“The emissions I refer to are being created by high impact, high-earning people, like people in Ireland.”

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Main image: A plane in flight. Image: Pixabay