The UK government has been advised to tax frequent fliers and ban air miles schemes as a way to combat climate change by an advisory group. 

A new study commissioned by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) in London – a group that advises the government on climate change – claimed reducing the amount of flights people take is one of the key ways the UK can reach zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"The emissions from one return ticket from London to New York are roughly equivalent to that of heating a typical home for a whole year," the report claimed. "The norm of unlimited flying being acceptable needs to be challenged and, as a very highly polluting luxury, it is suitable to taxation.”

The report – which was conducted by Richard Carmichael of Imperial College London on the CCC's behalf – argued its suggestions will target an estimated 15 percent of the UK population who make up 70 percent of UK flights, and not the "people taking an annual holiday.”

The levy would adjust the cost of a flight to match the amount a person flies, i.e. the more a person flies, the more expensive their tickets will become. It also suggested putting flyers in a three- to four-year cycle that would still give passengers the opportunity to go on long-haul flights, as well as increasing the cost of business and first-class flights.

This is meant to encourage people to fly less, and for shorter lengths of time. 

The report also argued that a ban on frequent flyer miles – a reward system set up by either a bank or an airline to reward with cheaper tickets people who fly regularly – would encourage people to fly less or in a more economic way. 

Simon Calder, a UK based travel writer and broadcaster, told CGTN Europe: "The mainstream aviation industry is absolutely reliant on frequent flyer schemes. These are the benefits that they give to particularly business travelers, and it is particularly business travelers who bankroll the whole operation.” 

He added that people would probably still fly if the points systems were banned, but they would do it in a more economic way, such as choosing to fly economy over business class. 

Some airlines have publicly asked customers to fly less. KLM, a Dutch airline, created a campaign in July that asked customers if they could take a train instead of flying in a video it posted online.  

The company still has a frequent flyer program called Flying Blue.

The CCC argued in its report that the suggested levy and ban would be better than a fuel tax, like the one put forward by the EU in May 2019, because of its targeted approach to adjusting flying habits. 

The European Commission suggested a tax of €330 ($364) per liter of jet fuel used by some flights. This would increase the cost of all plane tickets, and decrease the amount of yearly passengers by 11 percent.  

This plan was controversial because it would make it harder for people with lower incomes to afford a flight, while still allowing passengers from higher economic brackets to fly regularly. 

The CCC's report also suggested other lifestyle changes that would help the UK reach its emissions goal. This included dietary changes, such as more plant-based food options, and driving less. 

The UK, France and Germany are three of the 60 countries that have made legal commitments to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050. The other countries with similar commitments, such as the Bahamas and the Marshall Islands, are some of the countries most affected by climate change.