The government of Canada released new details about how he expects the wealthy to think twice about contributing to the climate crisis with their means of transportation, such as private planes y greenhouse gas intensive vehicles. But also, the authorities assure that they seek help reduce inequality.
The Select Luxury Items Tax Lawwhich will go into effect on September 1, will add a 10% tax on the total value of any purchase of airplanes and cars that exceed $78,000 and boats that exceed $194,000.
“Some Canadians have lost their jobs or small businesses, while some sectors of the economy have flourished“, argued the government in a statement on its official website. “That’s why today it’s only fair to ask Canadians who can afford to buy luxury items to contribute a little more.“, he expressed.
Celebrities who pollute the most
In a recent report from Yarda UK marketing firm, titled “Celebrities with the worst CO2 emissions from private jets“, ranked the rich who pollute the most.
Using flight data from the popular Twitter account @CelebJets (Celebrity Jets)which tracks the planes of the rich and famous, the report detailed to the biggest “offenders” and their carbon footprints.
So the pop star Taylor Swift is number one. According to the report, his private plane had flown 22,923 minutes, or 15.9 days, in 2022, emitting more than 8000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, more than 1,000 times more than the annual emissions of the average person. The singer has two Dassault private jetsthe Falcon 900 and the Falcon 50.
The boxer Floyd Mayweatherthe musician Jay-Z and the former baseball player Alex Rodriguez they are still listed below Swif.
Jay-Z y Beyonce they own the Bombardier Challenger 850 Learjet, whose price is US$ 40 million. Officially, Beyonce gave Jay-Z the plane for Father’s Day 2012.
While Yard’s analysis admits “there is no way to determine if these celebrities were on every recorded flight,” the report highlights the environmental impact of celebrities, politicians, business executives and other wealthy with the use of private planes and other actions.
According to an Oxfam analysis, in 2015, the richest 1% accounted for 15% of global carbon emissions.
What did the businessmen say?
The new tax that will begin to be paid in Canada received criticism from local businessmen. Arguing that I could have “serious implications” for the aviation industry.
“The economic impact of the luxury tax will be significant and has not been studied with a comprehensive understanding of our industry,” said Anthony Norejko, president and CEO of the Canadian Business Aviation Association, it’s a statement.
As published InsiderSome experts say that too much focus on the actions of any one individual can distract from the policy changes that are needed to make real progress, such as the important climate legislation currently before Congress.