Greenpeace wants a ban on short-distance flights within the European Union where a train journey of less than six hours is available as an alternative. This includes flights between Paris and Amsterdam, Madrid and Barcelona, and Munich and Berlin.
According to the environmental organization, for more than a third of the 150 busiest short-distance flights in the EU, a train trip under that time is available as an alternative, reports SpoorPro.
Greenpeace’s call comes ahead of the important climate summit starting next week in Glasgow, Scotland. Research from Greenpeace indicates that trains are also a good alternative for many short flights to Norway, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland with travel times under six hours.
Greenpeace describes the aviation industry as “one of the most climate-damaging industries on earth.” In recent decades, this industry has been the fastest growing source of air pollution in Europe, with an increase of 29 percent between 2009 and 2019, according to the environmental organization.
Greenpeace warns that the aviation sector plans to return to pre-COVID-19 levels by 2024. By 2037, this is expected to double worldwide.
By switching to trains, large amounts of aircraft emissions can be avoided, according to the environmental movement. Greenpeace also advocates for more investment in railways, such as increasing the number of night trains. Traveling by train should also become more affordable. The organization states that research shows 62 percent of Europeans support a ban on short flights.