A growing coalition of mostly Global South countries is backing plans for a tax on private aviation, arguing that wealthy frequent flyers should contribute more to the fight against climate change.
Under the emerging initiative, revenues from the tax would be channelled directly into climate action, including adaptation projects and clean-energy transitions in vulnerable states.
So far, most participating countries are low- or middle-income nations, even though high-income countries generate the lion’s share of luxury travel emissions. Only two rich countries are currently involved.
New members join climate tax bloc
Djibouti, Nigeria and South Sudan became the latest members of the coalition last week, broadening its footprint across Africa.
They join an original group of eight founding nations, launched in June, which includes:
- Kenya
- Benin
- Sierra Leone
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Barbados
- France (one of the two high-income members)
Additional states such as Brazil, Fiji and Vanuatu have joined as observer countries, signalling interest in the concept while they study its potential impact on their economies and aviation sectors.
The bloc has issued an open invitation for other governments to sign on and help design fair and effective measures to curb CO₂ emissions from private jets and other luxury travel.
Targeting one of the most polluting forms of travel
Private jet use is heavily concentrated in the United States and Europe, with the US alone hosting the world’s largest private aviation fleet.
Per passenger, private jets emit far more CO₂ than commercial flights, trains or buses, making them a prime target for campaigners who argue that climate policy must tackle the “polluter elite” as well as mass transport.
Supporters of the proposed tax say it would:
- Raise new, predictable climate finance without burdening poorer populations
- Discourage unnecessary luxury flights
- Send a powerful signal that climate responsibility should increase with wealth and carbon footprint
Critics, however, caution that unilateral or poorly coordinated taxes could simply push private jet operations to lightly regulated jurisdictions, undermining both revenue and emissions goals.
For now, the coalition is betting that a united front from climate-vulnerable nations can build moral and political pressure on wealthier states—those most responsible for luxury emissions—to sign up, pay up, and help fund a just transition.
