European country wants to charge 'green tax' on all flights to fund pensions: report

A new Danish "green tax" proposal would charge airline passengers a fee based on how long their flight is, with the money going toward a transition to sustainable fuels.

The new tax is expected to raise about 1.2 billion krones, or roughly $176 million, and would be used to fund a transition to having all Danish domestic flights use sustainable fuels by 2030. Another portion of the funds raised would go toward paying pension increases to elderly Danes, according to the report.

"Flying takes a toll on the climate, which is why we need to equip our flight sector with green wings," Denmark’s Minister for Climate, Energy and Utilities Lars Aagaard told the Washington Post. "The flight sector in Denmark must – as all other sectors – lower its carbon footprint and get on board a green future. We will create that change and make green flights our reality."