YLW Connection - Fall 2009 - (Page 21)

Taxing Your Air Times Kelowna International Airport continues to look at ways to become “neutral,” airlines and governments around the world also grapple with how to deal with the environmental impacts they help to create. Last month, the Committee on Climate Change, a body established in 2008 by the British Government to look at all aspects of environmental policy, suggested that tens of billions of British pounds would have to be raised through flight taxes to compensate for the impact that air travel is having on developing nations around the world. The Committee suggested that air travel should be managed and curtailed to ensure that carbon dioxide emissions fall back to levels reached in 2005; this will help to reduce Britain’s overall carbon footprint by 80 percent by 2050. The proposed initiative suggests an environmental passenger tax which would start out small and rise over time, becoming an effective tool for deterring air traffic. The fee would be enforced upon the formation of an agreement among European Union (EU) countries in 2012 that would create a carbon credit tax trading scheme. It is estimated that on a transatlantic flight from London to Los Angeles, the tax would add $35 roundtrip to the ticket cost. Under the EU plan, airlines would in effect be given free carbon permits covering 85 per cent of their emissions and would still pay for the remaining 15 per cent. The Committee on Climate Changes insists that airlines should have to pay for all their emissions. The end result – passenger airfares will double. The challenge for all airports and airline operations is to clearly cut carbon emissions. But the real question is, at what cost? Those supporting higher passenger fees and taxes to airlines suggest that if air travel demand doubles in the next 20 years, the airline industry would single handedly negate existing investments in renewable energy, carpooling and public transportation in order to meet climate change goals. | BY ROBERT FIN E, Manager of Economic Development Central Okanagan Regional District The challenge for all airports and airline operations is to clearly cut carbon emissions. Others argue that an aviation carbon tax would be extremely difficult to oversee and that the answer is one simple tax on jet fuel along with government investment into new energy efficient planes. Ultimately, it will be the response from passengers who accept some responsibility for their transportation impacts and their willingness to pay a fair and equitable offset for the privilege of flying. We should all recognize that something needs to be done, but in a way that allows a crucial economic engine to operate. See the 2008 YLW Green House Gas Study at www.ylw.aero We Print, Ship & More! Kelowna BC 1865 Dilworth Dr T: 250.860.6215 Store40@theupsstore.ca Westbank BC 22 - 2475 Dobbin Rd T: 250.768.2012 Store142@theupsstore.ca Vernon BC 3104 - 30th Ave T: 250.549.3020 Store104@theupsstore.ca Kelowna BC 9 - 3151 Lakeshore Rd T: 250.860.3334 Store238@theupsstore.ca Penticton BC 113 - 437 Martin St T: 250.493.6245 Store78@theupsstore.ca Printing • Shipping • Secure Mailbox Rentals • And More! FALL 2009 http://www.ylw.aero

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of YLW Connection - Fall 2009

YLW Connection - Fall 2009
Contents
Airport Services
Drive 1.6 Million Passengers Development Program
Mexico Travel
Vernon Yours to Explore
Eyes in the Sky
Big Business at YLW
Travel Medical Insurance - Not Just for Out of Country But for Out of Province, Too
Caribbean Goes North Event
Taxing Your Air Time
Okanagan Art Goes Global
YLW Connection Wins International Award
YLW News
Trivia & Games

YLW Connection - Fall 2009

https://www.nxtbookmedia.com