Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from private jets have soared by 25% over the past decade and now account for nearly 4% of all civil aviation emissions, a study has found.

According to the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), private jets produced roughly 19.5 million tonnes of GHG emissions in 2023, which is more than that produced from all flights, including commercial airliners, departing London Heathrow airport in 2023.

Private jets are estimated to be five to 14 times more polluting per passenger than commercial flights because they carry fewer passengers, creating a higher carbon footprint for each individual on board.

The report attempts to improve our understanding of aviation’s environmental impact by providing the first detailed global mapping of private jet air and climate pollution. Using global flight trajectory (ADS-B) data with publicly available emissions models, researchers could track more than 90% of private jet activity and emissions.

“Private jets are a surprisingly large source of air and climate pollution,” said Daniel Sitompul, aviation fellow at the ICCT. “A typical private jet emits as many greenhouse gases each year as 177 passenger cars or nine heavy-duty highway trucks.”

The report finds that flights departing US airports produced the most private jet pollution. Two-thirds (65%) of all private jet flights departed from US airports in 2023, accounting for more than half (55%) of GHG emissions globally. 

Europe (EU27) is the second largest contributor, at 12% of private jet GHGs, with French flights emitting about one-quarter. Eighteen of the 20 largest airports by private jet fuel use and emissions are located in the US, including Los Angeles’ Van Nuys airport, the third most polluting private airport in the world. The airport is known for storing the private jets of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z and Elon Musk.

The findings come as the aviation industry faces increasing pressure to reduce pollution. A recent study found that the sector is now responsible for more UK carbon emissions than the entire electricity sector.

While a range of technologies are being pursued such as electric- or hydrogen-powered aircraft in an attempt to cut emissions, they are all at an early stage of development. Other proposals in the short term to reduce its impact include increased taxes on aviation and a frequent flyer tax.

Policymakers have also begun debating regional and global measures to tax private jet emissions. The report estimates that a global tax of $1.59 a gallon on fuels consumed by private flights could generate up to $3bn (£2.2bn) annually to support aviation decarbonisation.

“As wealth inequality explodes globally, policymakers have begun asking why private jet taxes are so low,” said Dan Rutherford, ICCT’s senior director of research. “Given the slow pace of technological progress, it’s reasonable to charge ultra-wealthy travellers more for their pollution.”