Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but 3.5% when we take non-CO2 impacts on climate into account. Flying is a highly controversial topic in climate debates.
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Aviation is responsible for 12% of global CO2 emissions from all transport sources, compared to 74% from road transport. Commercial aviation is responsible for about 2-3% of global carbon emissions.
When comparing the number of emissions per person, it may seem like flying is better than driving. However, when more people share the drive, emissions per person are reduced, making driving more environmentally friendly than flying. But if you are driving cross-country solo, you are better off taking to the skies.
Aviation accounts for around 2.5% of global CO2 emissions, but it's overall contribution to climate change is higher. This is because air travel does not only emit CO2: it affects the climate in a number of more complex ways.
Emissions from flights stay in the atmosphere and will warm it for several centuries. Because aircraft emissions are released high in the atmosphere, they have a potent climate impact, triggering chemical reactions and atmospheric effects that heat the planet.
Air traffic represents less than 2-3% of the global CO2 emissions whereas road traffic accounts for around 10% of these direct emissions. Still, planes remain among the most polluting means of transport, together with cars.
Aviation contributes about 3 percent of all carbon emissions worldwide, which would make it sixth in the world if it were a country. The airline industry's contribution to the climate problem is worse than that, however, if we consider that flight also produces pollution other than carbon.
Ships are more environmentally friendly than planes, as greenhouse gasses emitted when using planes are much higher. Since planes emit these greenhouse gasses in the stratosphere, they considerably affect atmospheric chemistry. So, these plane emissions have a worse environmental impact than that of ships.