Adam Chapman
Guest Reporter
A shocking new analysis has revealed the total consumption of fuel Sir Keir Starmer has burned on international flights since taking office in July.
The eye-watering statistic comes as the Prime Minister touches down in Norway for a two-day trip to northern Europe that will pave the way for a green energy deal.
The energy deal aims to enhance cooperation in the carbon capture and storage sector, among other green initiatives.
Starmer has made the green transition a central plank of his premiership, setting the ambitious goal of Britain achieving a zero-carbon power system by 2030.
However, his frequent flights since taking office have not gone unnoticed by his critics, who have labelled him "never here Keir" and accused him of hypocrisy as he doubles down on the green agenda - an allegation the PM vehemently denies, arguing that the necessity of his travel for diplomatic and governmental purposes justifies the use of private jets.
Since assuming office on July 5, 2024, the PM has undertaken 15 international trips to 13 countries and one British Overseas Territory.
These trips include visits to France, Germany, the United States (each visited three times), and single visits to countries such as Norway, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The total air miles accumulated from these trips amount to approximately 75,000 miles.
GB News has worked out the total fuel burned as a result of Starmer's trips based on average fuel burn rates for common aircraft used in governmental travel and compared with the average flight distance per trip.
This calculation is based on the round-trip distances from London to each destination, considering multiple visits where applicable.
We have excluded his latest trip as it's ongoing.
So how much fuel has he burned on his international trips?
In total, the PM has burned roughly 215 metric tonnes of fuel since July (see bar chart above).
To put this into perspective, one metric tonne of jet fuel can emit approximately 3.15 metric tonnes of CO2. Thus, 215 metric tonnes of jet fuel would produce about 677.25 metric tonnes of CO2.
This is akin to the CO2 emissions from approximately 1,693 round trips between Paris and New York by plane, given each trip produces about 0.4 metric tonnes of CO2.
This is equivalent to driving around the Earth's equator nearly 480 times.
Burned rates were higher during the months when the PM's calendar was packed full of diplomatic obligations.
Starmer has racked up the most air miles in December, with long-haul trips to far-flung places such as Samoa and South Africa.
This month alone he has travelled a total distance of 41,300 miles and burned 148,251 kg of fuel.
LATEST MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS
September was also a fuel-heavy month for Starmer, with trips to Saudi Arabia to discuss trade deals and energy cooperation, United Arab Emirates to enhance economic ties and discuss investment opportunities and Ireland to meet with the Taoiseach and discuss UK-Ireland relations.
That month he flew 13,800 miles and burned 49,562 kg of fuel.
These frequent overseas engagements have attracted criticism from political commentators and the public alike, with some expressing concerns about the Prime Minister's time spent abroad when there are pressing domestic issues to address.
Regular GB News contributor Brendon O'Neill lambasted Starmer for jetting around the world, calling him "completely incompetent" and "very hypocritical".
However, his supporters have pointed out that many of these engagements have been of immense diplomatic importance, such as his attendance at the NATO summit in Washington shortly after taking office, which focused on defence cooperation and urging member states to increase their defence spending.
This was an opportunity to reaffirm the UK's commitment to NATO and its leadership in European security issues as Vladimir Putin's gains in Ukraine accelerate and an isolationist Donald Trump returns to the White House.
GB News has reached out to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for comment.
Find Out More...
The eye-watering statistic comes as the Prime Minister touches down in Norway for a two-day trip to northern Europe that will pave the way for a green energy deal.
The energy deal aims to enhance cooperation in the carbon capture and storage sector, among other green initiatives.
Starmer has made the green transition a central plank of his premiership, setting the ambitious goal of Britain achieving a zero-carbon power system by 2030.
However, his frequent flights since taking office have not gone unnoticed by his critics, who have labelled him "never here Keir" and accused him of hypocrisy as he doubles down on the green agenda - an allegation the PM vehemently denies, arguing that the necessity of his travel for diplomatic and governmental purposes justifies the use of private jets.
Since assuming office on July 5, 2024, the PM has undertaken 15 international trips to 13 countries and one British Overseas Territory.
These trips include visits to France, Germany, the United States (each visited three times), and single visits to countries such as Norway, Cyprus, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
The total air miles accumulated from these trips amount to approximately 75,000 miles.
Burn, baby, burn!
GB News has worked out the total fuel burned as a result of Starmer's trips based on average fuel burn rates for common aircraft used in governmental travel and compared with the average flight distance per trip.
This calculation is based on the round-trip distances from London to each destination, considering multiple visits where applicable.
We have excluded his latest trip as it's ongoing.
So how much fuel has he burned on his international trips?
In total, the PM has burned roughly 215 metric tonnes of fuel since July (see bar chart above).
To put this into perspective, one metric tonne of jet fuel can emit approximately 3.15 metric tonnes of CO2. Thus, 215 metric tonnes of jet fuel would produce about 677.25 metric tonnes of CO2.
This is akin to the CO2 emissions from approximately 1,693 round trips between Paris and New York by plane, given each trip produces about 0.4 metric tonnes of CO2.
This is equivalent to driving around the Earth's equator nearly 480 times.
Burned rates were higher during the months when the PM's calendar was packed full of diplomatic obligations.
Starmer has racked up the most air miles in December, with long-haul trips to far-flung places such as Samoa and South Africa.
This month alone he has travelled a total distance of 41,300 miles and burned 148,251 kg of fuel.
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September was also a fuel-heavy month for Starmer, with trips to Saudi Arabia to discuss trade deals and energy cooperation, United Arab Emirates to enhance economic ties and discuss investment opportunities and Ireland to meet with the Taoiseach and discuss UK-Ireland relations.
That month he flew 13,800 miles and burned 49,562 kg of fuel.
These frequent overseas engagements have attracted criticism from political commentators and the public alike, with some expressing concerns about the Prime Minister's time spent abroad when there are pressing domestic issues to address.
Regular GB News contributor Brendon O'Neill lambasted Starmer for jetting around the world, calling him "completely incompetent" and "very hypocritical".
However, his supporters have pointed out that many of these engagements have been of immense diplomatic importance, such as his attendance at the NATO summit in Washington shortly after taking office, which focused on defence cooperation and urging member states to increase their defence spending.
This was an opportunity to reaffirm the UK's commitment to NATO and its leadership in European security issues as Vladimir Putin's gains in Ukraine accelerate and an isolationist Donald Trump returns to the White House.
GB News has reached out to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) for comment.
Find Out More...