Half (46 per cent) of young people want to tax flying according to new research from Co-op and its charity, the Co-op Foundation.

As environmental concerns become more pressing, the tax on air travel is part of a wider list of desires from 16-24 year olds that includes moving to more sustainable modes of transport (such electric vehicles, public transport expansion, cycle lanes). Overall, the move to more sustainable transport appeals to 90 per cent of those surveyed.

Support was also voiced for government intervention to provide greater help for sustainable farming and fishing (86 per cent) and setting minimum standards for energy efficiency in homes (81 per cent).

A tax on meat and dairy was also supported by 38 per cent.

The study also revealed that while three quarters (76 per cent) are concerned about the UK reaching its Net Zero target, there is a strong appetite amongst young people to help get there – with 91 per cent believing that young people should be involved in decisions on how to reduce the UK's emissions and 75 per cent being personally interested in being part of this.

Nick Crofts, chief executive of the Co-op Foundation said: “At the Co-op Foundation we’re aware of the importance of youth leadership to develop a fairer and more sustainable world for future generations. It’s brilliant to see that young people want to become more involved in the transition towards net-zero, and we want them to be able to take the lead on developing a more equitable and sustainable society. We need to give more power to young people through education, tools and increasing their agency to develop greener and more sustainable communities of the future together.”

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