Nearly three quarters of the British public believes that the airline industry is not doing enough to tackle global warming and rising carbon dioxide emissions.

According to the second in a monthly series of ethical reports compiled for The Times, 74 per cent of people believe that airlines should take more seriously the environmental impact of flying. More than one third — 35 per cent — say that airlines shoulder the greatest responsibility for action, ahead of the Government, passengers and manufacturers.

Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic is regarded as the clear leader on green issues among British airlines, reflecting the billionaire’s high-profile green campaign with Al Gore, the former American vice-president, in the past six months. Yesterday Virgin announced plans to fly at least one of its Boeing 747s on bio-fuel next year. The green jumbo could be operating commercially by 2012.

The survey of 1,300 adults, conducted by Populus, shows that 62 per cent believe that Virgin is doing the most to minimise the environmental impact of flying, ahead of BA, on 20 per cent. Only 6 per cent believe that Ryanair is leading the way, despite claims from Michael O’Leary, the chief executive, that his airline was already “the greenest in Europe” after spending nearly £7 billion on new aircraft.

Mr O’Leary has been an outspoken critic of efforts to force the industry to do more to tackle emissions. In November he said that the Virgin campaign was only a PR stunt. Last month he denounced “environmental headbangers” who were blaming airlines for climate change and said that higher taxes on the industry would not solve the problem.

Air travel is responsible for 2 per cent to 3 per cent of greenhouse gases, but green groups argue that, without some action, it will account for up to 40 per cent by 2050.

The dispute has become political. Last month David Cameron, the Conservative leader, announced proposals for higher taxes on frequent air travellers. Gordon Brown, the Chancellor, doubled air passenger duty this year in an attempt to bolster his own climate change credentials.

The new survey indicates that Mr Cameron has earned a far higher rating than the Chancellor on social and environmental issues, with Mr Brown also polling below both Tony Blair and David Miliband, the Environment Secretary.

Nearly 60 per cent of passengers would fly less frequently to help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but only if there were no other way of solving the environmental impact of aviation. More than 40 per cent believe that carbon-offsetting schemes are “purely a gesture” and do not consitute a long-term solution.

British Airways operates an offsetting scheme whereby passengers can make voluntary donations. MPs castigated the airline last month when it emerged that only 0.01 per cent of its flights had been offset.

Click here to view Survey commissioned by Populus