Brits “green” in principle but not in practice

A massive 24 million of us will be jetting off in the next 12 months but are we concerned about the environmental impact? New research by Prudential Travel Insurance shows that despite agreeing in principle to an increase in air tax for short-haul flights, a fifth (19 per cent) of Brits do not think they will fly less in future to reduce their carbon footprint.

Since the Chancellor Gordon Brown unveiled an increase in Air Passenger Duty as part of the pre-budget report in December last year, air passengers now face a seven per cent increase in the cost of the average short haul flight.

Prudential’s research however reveals that this increase may not have the impact the Government hoped for, as three quarters (75 per cent) of the UK population will not be changing their travel plans as a result. Of those planning to travel in the next 12 months a quarter (26 per cent) are oblivious to the increase in Air Passenger Duty.

11 per cent of Brits are committed to curbing carbon emissions by flying less in future but only 3 per cent feel greatly discouraged about flying in light of this increase.

Phil Southgate, at Prudential Travel Insurance, comments: “We all have a responsibility to protect the environment so it will be interesting to see over the next few years what impact if any the tax will have on the travel industry and whether travellers will become more conscious of the amount of flights they take each year.

We may start to see a shift towards holidays in the UK and with 151 million Brits already holidaying in the UK on a regular basis it is worth reminding those holidaymakers with annual multi-trip policies that they will continue to be covered for UK trips with an overnight stay.”