Wednesday, November 5, 6:30 PM BRT:

In the Shadow of COP30: Activists Light Up Rio to Call for Fair Skies and Climate Justice

Bold Projections Across Iconic Rio Landmarks Demand Levies on Premium Travel to Fund Climate Action

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — On the eve of the COP30 Leaders Summit in Belém, global activists with the Glasgow Actions Team and partners will light up Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic landmarks with massive light projections calling for “Fair Skies”—a campaign demanding that the wealthiest flyers and private jet users pay their fair share to fund climate action and resilience.

This striking visual action will underscore a growing global coalition of countries—including France, Spain, Kenya, Barbados, the EU, and others—that has pledged to make premium aviation contribute to a just transition away from fossil fuels and climate resilience. The coalition aims to expand by COP30, urging Brazil, Germany, South Africa, the UK, and key aviation market players like Turkey and Australia to join the effort.

What: Visual projection action calling for aviation levies on premium travel ahead of COP30

When: Wednesday, November 5, 6:30 PM BRT

Where: Multiple sites across Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. Contact Alix Vanwaetermeulen,+436901021492 for precise locations and times.

Visuals: Massive light projections with aviation and climate justice imagery; drone and wide-angle photography against Rio’s skyline.
On the ground contact: Alix Vanwaetermeulen,+4369010214921

“Private jets and luxury flights remain some of the most undertaxed, fastest-growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions cooking the planet,” said Andrew Nazdin, Director of the Glasgow Actions Team. “A fair levy on premium and private air travel could raise billions for public healthcare, schools, and fighting the climate crisis — and the mega-rich wouldn’t even notice the cost.” 

“Solidarity levies are among the most practical, scalable tools we have to finance the just transition, grounded in the polluter pays principle and already working across dozens of countries. The Global Solidarity Levies Taskforce and the Premium Flyers Coalition offer a blueprint for fair and sustainable public finance. It’s time for more nations to step up, join these initiatives, and ensure predictable funding for climate resilience and development long after COP30,” said Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder, Chief Government Affairs, Policy, and Impact Officer of Global Citizen.

Globally, just 1% of the population accounts for over 50% of aviation emissions, with premium seating emitting up to four times more CO₂ per passenger than economy. Yet aviation fuel remains largely tax-free, even as car drivers and train passengers pay taxes that support public infrastructure.

The campaign highlights the need for solidarity levies on premium aviation, modeled after successful precedents in over 40 countries, including the Maldives, which recently introduced a levy on business and first-class tickets that did not reduce connectivity—in fact, flights increased afterward. Public support for aviation levies is strong: three in four people globally agree wealthier air travellers should pay more to help tackle climate change.

The coalition is hopeful that more countries will sign on in the coming weeks. The UK Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee letter just sent to climate minister Ed Miliband stated: “We recommend that the UK Government should give consideration to joining the Premium Flyers Solidarity Coalition inspired by the work of the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force.” 

Spokespeople from civil society movements will be available for interviews.

Photos and video will be distributed to media following the event.

About the Glasgow Actions Team:

Formed ahead of COP26, GAT pushes the world’s climate champions to go farther, calling out the blockers and exposing the deniers. Learn more at www.glasgowactions.com