Turbulence hits EU airline pollution scheme

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) reiterated the air transport industry’s commitment to its ambitious agenda to reduce CO2 emissions and urged the European Union (EU) to abandon its misguided plans to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) commencing in 2012.

IATA invited governments to join industry as committed partners in a global approach to reducing aviation’s carbon emissions that could also include a global ETS or other compensation measures.

On the 30 September 2011, 21 countries including the US, Japan, Brazil, Russia, India and China issued a declaration opposing how the EU scheme will apply to flights that start or end in one of the bloc’s 27-member states. They say the scheme was inconsistent with international law and should not apply to flights by non-EU carriers.

ESO: Background information: Aviation and climate change http://www.europeansources.info/record/website-aviation-and-climate-change/

ESO: Background information: China joins US in battle against EU carbon rules for airlines http://www.europeansources.info/record/china-joins-us-in-battle-against-eu-carbon-rules-for-airlines/

IATA: Press Release, 27.9.11: Industry Committed to Emissions Reductions - Europe Should Abandon Misguided ETS Plans http://www.iata.org/pressroom/pr/Pages/2011-09-27-01.aspx

European Commission: Memo/11/666: Inclusion of aviation into the EU ETS: Statement by EU Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard on the Advocate General's opinion in case C-366/10 (The Air Transport Association of America and Others) http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/666&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

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