Brits have biggest air travel footprint in world

Figures published by market research company Global TGI show that the average Briton emits some 603 kg of aviation-related CO2 every year, a third higher than the second-place Irish at 434 kg, and more than double Americans' 275 kg.

A spokesman for TGI said that although reasons could be given for the figures - such as poor general weather leading to increased desire for summer holidays - the 'rapid growth in low-cost flying' was a key factor.

Britain's place on the total travel emissions scale, however, was a slightly more respectable third place, behind America and France.

This article first appeared in the Ecologist October 2007