Commission wants flights in emission trading scheme

Politicians are increasingly worried that the growing popularity of cheap flights means rising emissions from the aviation sector will wipe out progress towards climate change commitments in other areas.

Around the world, CO2 emissions from aeroplanes rose by 73% in 1990-2003. But aviation is not currently covered by the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a market-based system under which industries have to buy and sell CO2 emission permits from each other.

The Commission has agreed to propose bringing aviation into the ETS by the end of this year.

Critics say this will make flying too expensive for many people and that the EU should focus on devel-oping cheap and reliable public transport before targeting aviation.

If the ETS proposal goes ahead as planned, holidaymakers will be relying on technological breakthroughs to keep the cost of a ticket down. There is, potentially, room for improvement across the board, from more efficient fuel use to lighter machines.

Akzo Nobel, the world’s largest coatings manufacturer, says even painting an aeroplane differently can reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Marc Michelsen of Akzo Nobel says his company can cut 80kg off the weight of a large aeroplane by using modern exterior coatings. This would mean 50 tonnes less CO2 and fuel savings of over 20,000 litres, per year per aircraft.

Politicians are increasingly worried that the growing popularity of cheap flights means rising emissions from the aviation sector will wipe out progress towards climate change commitments in other areas.