If you’ve listened to Ed Miliband recently, you might think he’s strongly against air travel, especially given its effects on the environment.
After all, as the UK’s Energy and Climate Change Secretary, he’s been vocal about the need to curb aviation expansion.
In fact, Miliband has argued that any increase in air travel must align with carbon budgets.
But despite these statements, his actions tell a very different story.
Since taking office in July, Miliband has been one of the most frequent air travelers in the UK, clocking up over 44,600 air miles.
That’s more than 12 return flights to Tenerife – a far cry from the eco-friendly persona he projects.
His air travel began with a trip to Brazil in August, a country he visited to “signal Britain’s resurgent ambition for global leadership on international climate.”
But the emissions from that trip were significant – if he flew business class, it was responsible for 19.7 tons of CO2, more than four times the average British person’s annual carbon footprint.
More Flights, More Carbon
Miliband’s travel didn’t stop in Brazil. In the months that followed, he embarked on a series of global flights. His next stop was New York, where he attended Climate Week.
That journey added another 7,000 miles to his tally, emitting 7.7 tons of carbon dioxide.
Interestingly, one of those flights was classified as ‘non-scheduled,’ meaning it was likely a private jet, which would have only increased his carbon emissions.
October saw him off to Washington for a G20 meeting, followed by a trip to Baku, Azerbaijan, for the COP29 summit in November.
Both these trips saw Miliband add thousands of miles and tons of CO2 to his carbon footprint.
In March, he flew to Beijing, racking up an additional 10,600 miles and over 12 tons of carbon emissions.
These international flights alone amount to at least 54.2 tons of CO2 in just nine months – more than 12 times the average British citizen’s yearly emissions.
Domestic Air Travel and Wasteful Spending
As if his international travels weren’t enough, Miliband’s office has also spent a significant amount of taxpayers’ money on domestic flights. In just six months, £43,644 was spent on air travel within the UK.
For context, Miliband himself flew to Aberdeen last October, a trip that added another 0.6 tons of CO2.
This level of domestic air travel raises questions about whether officials are taking unnecessary flights that could be done by train, or whether they’re opting for much more expensive private jets.
The Politician Who Talks the Talk but Doesn’t Walk the Walk
Miliband is one of the loudest advocates for climate change action in the UK government, urging the public to make changes to reduce emissions.
He’s pushing for everyone to switch to expensive heat pumps, electric cars, and even for industries to adopt more sustainable practices.
But how can he expect people to follow his lead when he’s openly contributing to the problem?
His hypocrisy doesn’t end there. While arguing against a third runway at Heathrow, Miliband has been lobbying for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a regional airport that serves his own constituency.
His successful push for its reopening, backed by £3 million in taxpayer funds, has led to its first flight in years.
It’s clear that Miliband is willing to ignore the environmental costs when it serves his political interests.
A Double Standard on Private Jets and Climate Change
Miliband has also been less critical of other high-profile figures’ air travel.
For example, when Prime Minister Keir Starmer took a private jet to attend a football tournament in Germany, Miliband didn’t condemn it. His response? “He’s the Prime Minister of the country.
He needs to get about.” This weak justification doesn’t hold up, as many previous Prime Ministers have managed to travel via scheduled flights, even with the necessary security measures.
Shouldn’t Miliband Lead by Example?
If Miliband is truly committed to tackling climate change, it would make sense for him to curb his own emissions.
He preaches a greener lifestyle for the public, but his travel habits tell a different story.
Why should ordinary citizens spend £13,000 on a heat pump to reduce emissions when Miliband himself is contributing so much to the problem?
It seems that Miliband’s policies, including those pushing the UK toward Net Zero, have already started to show their consequences.
The energy price crisis and the looming collapse of key industries like steel and chemicals are evidence of the cost of his approach.
A Call for Accountability
Miliband’s actions demonstrate a stark contradiction. He’s become the face of government climate policy while simultaneously enjoying a lifestyle that flies in the face of the very principles he advocates for.
If he genuinely believes in reducing emissions, then it’s time for him to lead by example, or perhaps, stop telling the rest of us what to do.