As the aviation sector scrambles to prove its climate credentials, a new partnership between the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and climate-tech firm Chooose promises better access to carbon emissions data. But in Africa, a different question is being asked: who should foot the bill for cutting those emissions?
In a recent South African study, 41.9% of air travellers voiced their opposition to so-called “green fees”, additional charges imposed by airlines to offset carbon emissions. Although nearly all participants agreed that airlines have a duty to reduce their environmental footprint, less than a third supported passengers being charged extra to do so.
This growing pushback suggests a shifting public narrative on climate responsibility, particularly across African markets where environmental awareness is rising, but economic inequality remains a barrier to adopting solutions imported from wealthier nations.
A Question of Responsibility
The new IATA-Chooose collaboration enables airlines and corporate travel platforms to use IATA’s CO2 Connect tool, which offers flight-specific carbon emission estimates based on actual airline data. It integrates seamlessly with Chooose’s emissions platform, which already supports over 30 global airline partners, many operating Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) programmes.
“Transparency leads to more informed decision-making,” said Chooose CEO Joseph Beaudin. “By delivering IATA’s trusted data, we’re helping airlines and their customers understand their emissions and what actions to take.”
But in Africa, the bigger issue is not just data. It’s who should take responsibility, and who should pay. The prevailing sentiment among South African travellers is that the burden should not fall on passengers. Rather, it is the airlines, governments, and international regulators that must lead the way, especially as aviation remains a critical but high-emission industry.
A Complicated Climate Cost
Flying contributes around 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, according to Our World in Data. But its overall warming impact may be up to three times greater when considering non-CO₂ gases such as nitrogen oxides and water vapour. This disproportionate effect has led airlines to introduce carbon offsetting schemes, but these are often funded by voluntary or mandatory fees passed onto passengers.
South African consumers are increasingly aware of this dynamic. The study, which surveyed 394 participants, found that while climate consciousness is growing, 42% oppose being charged to fix a problem they believe airlines created. Only 31.5% supported green fees, and nearly a quarter remained indifferent, suggesting that trust in airline climate strategies may be faltering.
The Global Framework vs. Local Realities
On the policy front, African states have reaffirmed their support for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), the only global market-based measure officially recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). In a recent working paper presented by the African Civil Aviation Commission on behalf of 54 African countries, the bloc warned against overlapping or unilateral carbon pricing schemes, especially those that risk counting emissions twice or unfairly burdening developing economies.
The paper called for stronger support for capacity-building and clearer global coordination on carbon reporting. It also reaffirmed that CORSIA, not piecemeal regional fees, should remain the global standard for aviation climate accountability.
This dovetails with the IATA-Chooose agreement, which aims to standardise carbon measurement and reporting through operational data, rather than estimates or blanket charges. “IATA CO2 Connect is the only emissions calculator based on actual airline data,” said Frederic Leger, IATA’s SVP of Commercial Products & Services. “We want it to be as widely available as possible, especially for those managing travel decisions.”
Accountability Over Apathy
For African travellers, the conversation around aviation emissions is no longer just about awareness, but about fairness. As the industry looks for ways to decarbonise, it must also reckon with growing calls for accountability from passengers unwilling to subsidise environmental damage they did not cause.
As climate technology advances, one thing is becoming clear: transparency is only the first step. Trust, especially in African markets, will only come when solutions are equitable, and responsibility is properly shared.
