Hawaii House Bill HB959

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Relating To The Environmental Impacts Of Air Travel.

Impact

Under HB959, a task force will be established within the Department of Health to evaluate and provide recommendations for mitigating the environmental impacts of commercial air travel. The task force is expected to study the carbon emissions associated with air travel for tourists and make recommendations to the legislature based on its findings. This initiative aims to enhance understanding of how air travel contributes to Hawaii's overall greenhouse gas emissions and to assert visitor traffic as a pertinent factor in shaping sustainable environmental policies.

Summary

House Bill 959 addresses the significant environmental impacts of air travel, particularly regarding carbon emissions linked to Hawaii's tourism sector. As Hawaii has made notable strides in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, having been the first state to commit to carbon neutrality by 2045 and to declare a climate emergency, the bill focuses on the necessity of assessing the carbon load released into the atmosphere due to air transportation, which is a crucial element of the state's economy. The legislature acknowledges that the emissions from tourism may outweigh Hawaii's domestic emissions, raising questions about the effectiveness of current environmental initiatives if tourism contributes significantly to climate change.

Contention

While the bill presents a proactive approach to addressing the climate crisis, it may face contention from stakeholders in the tourism industry who could be concerned about potential impacts on visitation and economic activity. There may be debates regarding how such measures could affect tourism revenue and the type of regulations or assessments that might follow. Furthermore, balancing environmental objectives with economic interests will likely be a critical discussion point as this bill progresses through the legislature.