Aviation and airline groups resisting EU carbon proposals

The focus of concern is the European Union’s emissions trading scheme (ETS) for carbon dioxide and the possibility of trade struggles with China, the US and Russia.

Airbus argues that the proposals would reduce competitiveness and wants the scheme to be postponed until a global plan on airline carbon emissions is agreed. There are concerns that charges would be due even when flying outside European airspace. There are indications that Chinese airlines are delaying decisions to buy planes because of concerns over the plans.

The EU ETS is one of the policies introduced across the European Union (EU) to help it meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol. The EU has to make an eight per cent reduction on 1990 levels by the first Kyoto Protocol commitment period (2008 - 2012). But note that aviation activities are excluded from the “How to Comply with your Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permit” guide there.

If you have comments on this blog please contact Stewart Wilkinson, Head of Dispute Resolution and Airlines Group on 020 7583 2222 or [email protected]