A new analysis from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals that emissions from private jets reached up to 19.5mn tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHG) in 2023 – marking a 25% rise over the past 10 years.

At their pandemic-recovery peak, these aircraft accounted for almost 4% of global civil aviation emissions. The total climate impact from private jets last year surpassed that of all departures from London’s Heathrow Airport.

This research provides the first in-depth global assessment of how private aviation contributes to both air pollution and climate change. Using a combination of worldwide aircraft tracking data and established emissions modelling tools, the ICCT mapped more than 90% of private jet operations and emissions to specific airports and nations.

“Private jets are a surprisingly large source of air and climate pollution,” said Daniel Sitompul, an aviation fellow at ICCT. “A typical private jet emits as many greenhouse gases each year as 177 passenger cars or nine heavy-duty highway trucks.”

The report identifies the US as the top emitter, with 65% of private jet flights originating from American airports in 2023. These flights were responsible for 55% of the sector’s global emissions.

The EU27 ranks second, with France contributing roughly one-quarter of the bloc’s private jet output.

Among the 20 airports with the highest emissions from private jets, 18 are situated in the United States. One of them – Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles – ranks third globally. Located in a predominantly Hispanic and lower-income community, the airport is often used by high-profile figures such as Kim Kardashian, Jay-Z and Elon Musk.

The timing of the report coincides with mounting pressure on the aviation sector to curb emissions. Policy discussions have increasingly included the option of taxing private jet fuel as part of broader climate measures.

The ICCT estimates that imposing a $1.59 per gallon levy on private aviation fuel could raise as much as $3bn annually to fund cleaner aviation technologies.

“As wealth inequality explodes globally, policymakers have begun asking why private jet taxes are so low,” said Dan Rutherford, the ICCT’s senior director of research. “Given the slow pace of technological progress, it’s reasonable to charge ultrawealthy travellers more for their pollution.”