European Commission proposes new flight emissions label

Brussels (The Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission seeks feedback on new Flight Emissions Label.

The EU Commission is launching a public consultation on the draft proposal designating the EU Flight Emissions Label (FEL), an initiative that seeks to provide passengers with trustworthy and harmonised environmental information regarding flights. Once completed, this project would be available for voluntary service by airlines from next year.

When booking flights online, passengers will be able to catch standardised information on the carbon footprint of flights in the EU. While 80% of air passengers say they would like to know how much CO2 is created by the flights they take, only 5% of passengers report having access to such information. 

Why is a standardized methodology for emissions needed?

Presently, the lack of common methodology and standards for estimating flight emissions leads airlines and ticket sellers to register emission levels using disparate methodologies that are not necessarily comparable. The Flight Emissions Label seeks to change this by setting out a reliable and harmonised methodology for calculating flight emissions, considering factors like aircraft type, average passenger numbers and freight volume on board, as well as aviation fuel utilised.

How will airlines demonstrate their environmental efforts?

As of 2025, airlines serving flights within the EU or departing from the EU will be capable of voluntarily joining this label. When booking flights online, a dedicated FEL logo will be shown alongside the flight emissions data, allowing passengers to make informed decisions and save them from misleading greenwashing claims.  

How will the flight emissions label benefit passengers?

In his remarks, EU Commissioner for Climate Action and Transport, Wopke Hoekstra, said: “Clear, verified information is fundamental to better inform our choices for travel. As passengers, the future EU Flight Emissions Label will make it easier for all of us to have verified information regarding the CO2 emissions linked to our flights before we purchase our tickets. It will also ensure a level playing field among airlines competing on the same routes, and reward those that choose to invest in cleaner fuels and more efficient operations by making this visible to passengers when they buy a ticket. The future label will therefore help incentivise airlines to improve their environmental performance, by renewing their fleet with more efficient aircraft and using more sustainable aviation fuels.”