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EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions
(40 minutes later)
Airlines operating in the EU should pay for any increase in greenhouse gas emissions above current levels, the European Commission has proposed. Airlines operating in the EU should pay for any increase in carbon emissions above current levels, the European Commission has proposed.
Commissioners called on the industry to make a "fair contribution" to the fight against climate change.Commissioners called on the industry to make a "fair contribution" to the fight against climate change.
They proposed bringing internal EU flights inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with all other flights following in 2012.They proposed bringing internal EU flights inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with all other flights following in 2012.
Environmental groups say the proposals do not go far enough. Environmental groups said the proposals did not go far enough.
PermitsPermits
"Aviation emissions need to be brought under control, because they are rising very fast," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas."Aviation emissions need to be brought under control, because they are rising very fast," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.
"Since 1990, they have gone up about 90% and, by 2020, they are going to be doubled, if business continues as usual.""Since 1990, they have gone up about 90% and, by 2020, they are going to be doubled, if business continues as usual."
He added that the rapid growth of aviation emissions threatened to undermine progress in cutting emissions in other sectors.He added that the rapid growth of aviation emissions threatened to undermine progress in cutting emissions in other sectors.
SINS OF EMISSION Aircraft produce about 3% of EU CO2 emissions - more than refineries or steel plantsThey also emit nitrogen oxides which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozoneCondensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, may also have a warming effectInternational experts predict aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2 SINS OF EMISSION Aircraft produce about 3% of EU CO2 emissions - more than refineries or steel plantsThey also emit nitrogen oxides which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozoneCondensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, may also have a warming effectInternational experts say aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2 href="/1/hi/uk_politics/6195921.stm" class="">Charges are "step forward"
The commission says that someone flying from London to New York and back makes a bigger contribution to global warming than heating an average European home for a year.The commission says that someone flying from London to New York and back makes a bigger contribution to global warming than heating an average European home for a year.
The Commission's proposal, which has to be agreed by member states and the European Parliament, would issue airlines with emission allowances based on the average level of emissions between 2004 and 2006. The Commission's proposal, which has to be agreed by member states and the European Parliament, would issue airlines with emission allowances based on their average emissions between 2004 and 2006.
Any that reduced emissions would be able to sell any permits they do not use. But if they increased emissions, they would be forced to buy additional permits from other participants in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Any airline that reduced emissions would be able to sell the permits it did not need. If they increased emissions, they would be forced to buy additional permits from other participants in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
The scheme, which aims to bring Europe into line with its obligations under the Kyoto protocol, already covers nearly half of the bloc's emissions.The scheme, which aims to bring Europe into line with its obligations under the Kyoto protocol, already covers nearly half of the bloc's emissions.
Economic argumentsEconomic arguments
The BBC's Joe Lynam in Brussels says the aviation industry admits it has a role to play combating climate change. The Association of European Airlines (AEA), representing big carriers such as British Airways, Air France KLM and Lufthansa, said its members were likely to end up buying permits because the cap was so strict.
But is also quick to point out how important air travel is to economic growth. "It will be a burden and it might be a heavy burden," said AEA spokeswoman Francoise Humbert said.
CARBON TRADING Designed to be a cheap method of achieving emissions cutsEnsures the cheapest efficiency savings are made firstNational governments allocate allowances to industry, in line with their Kyoto targetNational plans vetted by European CommissionAllows participants to gain credits by financing clean development projects abroad href="/1/hi/sci/tech/4114921.stm" class="">Q&A: EU carbon trading Aviation body Iata contends that grounding all airliners would have a small impact on CO2 emission - but a dramatic one on the global economy. The Commission said it expected short-haul air tickets to rise by 1.8 euros (£1.20) to 9 euros each by 2020.
Environmental campaigners say the scheme should force airlines to cut their emissions, instead of pegging them at the current level. CARBON TRADING Designed to be a cheap method of achieving emissions cutsEnsures the cheapest efficiency savings are made firstNational governments allocate allowances to industry, in line with their Kyoto targetNational plans vetted by European CommissionAllows participants to gain credits by financing clean development projects abroad href="/1/hi/sci/tech/4114921.stm" class="">Q&A: EU carbon trading
Friends of the Earth said the emissions limits needed to be part of a package of measures. It added that the scheme could cut aviation emissions by nearly half, by 2020.
"This must include ending tax breaks enjoyed by the industry and abandoning airport expansion plans," the group said in a statement. But the European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) estimated it would cut aviation emissions by only 3% - less than one year's growth of the sector's emissions.
Consumer groups are worried that it will be travellers who will end up paying to make the skies greener, our correspondent adds. "After 10 years of talk, we welcome the world's first multilateral plan to cut aviation emissions," said T&E director Joe Dings.
"But the end result must actually encourage airlines to cut their emissionsrather than giving them a free ride."
Friends of the Earth said the emissions limits needed to be part of a package of measures, including abandoning airport expansion plans and "ending tax breaks enjoyed by the industry".
Some emissions allowances would be auctioned by member states, but the majority will be issued for free.Some emissions allowances would be auctioned by member states, but the majority will be issued for free.
"Any increase in ticket costs resulting from the scheme is expected to be limited, and significantly lower than rises due to oil price changes in recent years," the commission says.