Carry private planes!
Sweden's richest must come down to earth and take responsibility
Signatures
1000
Objectives
Private aviation is a small part of air traffic but creates a disproportionate amount of suffering on the planet and us humans. In 2021, there were 29 private jets registered in Sweden. While this may not seem like many, their emissions are equivalent to 41 000 passenger cars annually.
Amsterdam's Schiphol airport has already decided to ban all private flights from 2026. We think this is a reasonable and important step to start stopping the huge emissions caused by the world's richest people. Quite simply, those who have the greatest impact on the climate should take the greatest responsibility.
That is why it is time to ban private flights from Swedish airports too. It is an outdated and unnecessary luxury that destroys a large part of the world's population, while only pleasing a few. Private aviation should have no place at Swedish airports or in the sustainable and prosperous world of the future.
Questions and answers
Globally, the world's richest 10% account for half of all emissions in the world. About 70% of Sweden's population belongs to the world's richest 10%. But it is the countries and people living in poverty and who are most vulnerable that are hit hardest.
But even within Sweden there is inequality, a person from Sweden's richest 1% emits almost 10 times more than someone from the 50% with the lowest income.
Because they account for a disproportionate share of emissions. 50 of the world's richest billionaires' private jets and super-yachts emit so much carbon dioxide in a year that the average person would have to live 300 years and 860 years respectively to reach the same amount. If everyone emitted as much as the world's richest 1%, the remaining CO2 budget to keep global warming to 1.5°C would run out in less than 5 months.
In Sweden, it is also common for the richest to fly private jets and own yachts. In a unique survey, Dagens ETC, for example, examined how billionaires and celebrities in Sweden use private jets. Between 2019 and 2021, travel by private jet doubled due to the pandemic. The annual emissions from the 29 private jets registered in Sweden in 2021 correspond to 41,000 cars.
Sweden is a small country, but Swedes have disproportionately high emissions. Right now, emissions are increasing by 5.6% when they really need to decrease by 7%. If everyone lived like the richest 1% of Swedes, the carbon budget left to keep humanity from exceeding 1.5 degrees of warming would run out in six months - with disastrous consequences. Many high-emitting countries are small countries. Being a small country does not mean that you do not have to take responsibility.
We will send the petition to the government and let them know how many people have signed. We will not send the names of all signatories to the government.
Oxfam Sweden is part of a global organization that works to save and improve people's lives. We do this in many ways, with one clear goal: an equal future. We fight climate inequality, economic inequality, and the injustices that cause poverty and oppression - and we are on the ground in crises and disasters. Together with millions of allies, we work in 79 countries. We contribute new knowledge, make skewed social structures visible, give people tools for change - and demand that those in power take responsibility. And we will not stop until everyone's equal value and rights are respected.
Working in 79 countries Oxfam works with both prevention and emergency work. By prevention we mean that we support communities to adapt to climate change, but also by producing research to influence politicians to work for a more just and equitable climate transition. Our emergency work means that in the event of climate-related crises and disasters, we are quickly on the ground and work with local partners to support people affected.
Read more about our work.
