City of Boston and Logan Airport sources understate greenhouse gas emissions from aviation

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The City of Boston’s official website reports that TOTAL greenhouse gas emissions are 5.4 million metric tons of CO2e, but this is misleading, because it excludes aviation and Logan Airport.

Image source: City of Boston (2024): https://www.boston.gov/departments/environment/bostons-carbon-emissions. Text box by the author.

Separately, Logan Airport reports aviation emissions of 0.5 million metric tons of CO2e, but this is misleading, because it counts only emissions up to 3000 feet of altitude (essentially counting emissions only for takeoff and landing but not the majority of the flight in between).

Image source: City of Boston (2024): https://www.boston.gov/departments/environment/bostons-carbon-emissions. Text box by the author.

The true Logan Airport emissions for aviation, based on jet fuel sales, are 4.3 million metric tons of CO2e, which is much larger relative to total Boston emissions than most people realize.

Image source: City of Boston (2024): https://www.boston.gov/departments/environment/bostons-carbon-emissions. Text box by the author.

This video gives the story.

At Long Wharf in Boston, we discuss the greenhouse gas emissions of Logan Airport, across the harbor. At one point, a Red Rebel from Extinction Rebellion silently walks by.

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