FAIR taxes on private jets and superyachts could have raked in £2 billion last year to help communities devastated by climate change, an Oxfam report revealed today.

Britain has the second-highest number of private jet flights in Europe, trailing only behind France.

Oxfam found that there were 192,052 private jet flights to and from Britain last year, not including those for medical, government, or military purposes.

According to climate charity Possible, flying by private jet can be up to 30 times more polluting than standard flights. 

Oxfam also found that Britain is also home to 450 fuel-guzzling superyachts. 

Indiana University academics found that a superyacht with a permanent crew, helicopter pad, submarines and pools emits an estimated 7,020 (US) tonnes of CO2 a year. In comparison, petrol cars produce about 1,749kg a year.

Oxfam is calling on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to increase taxes on the super-rich using these modes of transport, and redirect the funds to help tackle the climate emergency, while preventing lower-income families from shouldering the burden.

The charity calculated that up to £830 million could have been raised last year by introducing a higher rate of air passenger duty for private jets and introducing a superyacht ownership tax.

The research found that another £1.2bn could have been raised by taxing private jet fuel, charging value added tax on private aviation, and taxing private jet landing and departure slots.

Oxfam GB climate justice policy adviser Natalie Shortall said: “While the super-rich continue to pollute at excessive rates, it is people living in poverty, both in the UK and around the world, who have done the least to cause the climate crisis who are suffering the most from its devastating impacts.

“Further steps to better tax extreme wealth are needed to accelerate climate action and fight inequality. Increasing taxes on highly polluting luxuries like private jets and superyachts is an obvious place for the government to start.

“These are the kind of common-sense solutions that are urgently needed to quickly and fairly reduce emissions and raise crucial climate finance — by making the biggest and richest polluters pay.”

According to Oxfam, the wealthiest 1 per cent produces as much carbon emissions than the five billion people who made up the poorest two-thirds of humanity.