Blame Manchester United for moving 161 km by plane, the club is unfair Why?

English pro football club Manchester United are being criticized for using an airplane as they leave for Leicester, which is only 161 km away. The flight took only 10 minutes. There are warnings about climate catastrophe, but it was pointed out that the bus should have traveled a distance that could be reached in two hours by plane.

Manchester United executives explained that they do not normally use flights according to internal regulations, but this time, they had no choice but to choose a flight depending on the circumstances. The club did not disclose the circumstances, but several reports of heavy congestion on the M6 ​​motorway were pointed out as the background, the BBC reported on the 16th (local time).

Of course, air movement is believed to be the main culprit of global warming. So world leaders will put their heads together on a solution to avoid a climate catastrophe in Glasgow, Scotland later this month.

Manchester United have also pledged to use clean energy. In July, it joined an environmental agreement called the Renewable Energy Group. At the time, the club said it hopes to improve people’s awareness of how people should use cleaner and more renewable energy.

However, the notion that airplanes are the main culprits in pollutant emissions may be a bit inflated. If you look at the graphic below, the carbon dioxide emissions per person are calculated and compared by means of transportation. This is because airplanes account for only 3.5% of the world’s carbon emissions, and even lower carbon emissions than driving a car alone.

However, domestic flights are a really inefficient way to travel. In France, a bill currently banning short-haul domestic flights has been passed by Parliament, and similar legislation is being pursued in Germany.

In response to the BBC’s inquiry, Manchester United are purchasing certified green electricity for all club buildings and facilities, and have been certified by the Carbon Trust Standard for 6 consecutive years until last year, have practiced energy and carbon savings for 12 consecutive years and have produced more than 2700 tons of carbon annually since 2008. The broadcast said that they said they had reduced their emissions.

Meanwhile, in the away match of the 2021-22 English Premier League (EPL) round 8 held at King Power Stadium in Leicester on the 16th, Manchester United lost 2-4. Leicester, who was in a slump, reported a win after losing 4 matches, while Manchester United continued their sluggishness with 1 draw and 2 losses in the recent league.

Byeong-seon Lim, Executive Director, Peace Research Institute bsnim@seoul.co.kr