France has banned domestic flights for a short distance within two and a half hours (150 minutes) by train with the aim of reducing carbon emissions.CNN and BBC and AFP reported on the 23rd (local time) that a bill banning domestic flights between areas where trains can travel within two and a half hours in France took effect the previous day. It has been two years since the French parliament passed the “Climate and Restoration Bill” proposed with this information.
French Transport Minister Clement Vaughan said in a statement that “it is an essential step in policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and a symbol of strong efforts.” Minister Lee added, “While fighting to reduce carbon emissions, it is not justifiable to use airplanes instead of regular, fast and efficient trains in inter-metropolitan travel.”However, only three air routes have been lost under the law. Only three routes connecting Bordeaux, Nantes and Lyon from Paris’ Orly Airport have been suspended. Connecting routes for long-distance flights were excluded from the ban.
However, only three air routes have been lost under the law. Only three routes connecting Bordeaux, Nantes and Lyon from Paris’ Orly Airport have been suspended. Connecting routes for long-distance flights were excluded from the ban.The European Union (EU) has conditions that there should be a high-speed train as a section that can abolish air routes. He also stressed that early morning and late night railway operations should be carried out so that travelers can return after arriving at their destination and spending at least eight hours.
France has eliminated three short-distance routes with the move, but some still have voices of criticism.The French Climate Citizens’ Convention, which originally proposed the bill, said it would ban aircraft operations if they could travel by train within four hours, but it was reduced to two and a half hours due to opposition from airline Air France-KLM and some regions.The French consumer group “Que Choisir” called for a four-hour limit to be maintained, claiming that “the plane emits 77 times more carbon dioxide per passenger than the train on the same line, even though the train is cheaper and the time loss is only 40 minutes.” The group also called for protective measures to prevent the French Railway Corporation (SNCF) from artificially raising prices or lowering the quality of railway services.Environmental groups also question the effectiveness of the bill. It is argued that stopping the operation of the three routes alone cannot achieve significant results.According to the European Transportation and Environment Union (T&E), a non-governmental environmental organization, the three routes affected by the short-haul ban account for only 0.3% of all flights taking off in France based on carbon emissions and 3% on domestic flights. “The ban on short-haul routes is a symbolic move, but it will have little impact on reducing carbon emissions,” T&E director Joe Darden said.The airline industry is also still unhappy. In the case of short-haul air routes, the use of high-speed trains is already increasing, and it is pointed out that the measure is a “show” that has nothing to do with the goal of reducing carbon emissions.Guillaume Schmidt, who served as vice president of the Air France pilots’ union, said, “Already passengers are naturally avoiding short-haul flights. “No one will be deceived by this measure,” he said. The Association of European Airlines (A4E) also stressed that the government should come up with a practical and important solution to the move, saying the move will have only a minimal impact on carbon reduction.
Sophia Kim
US ASIA JOURNAL
