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| EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions | EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Airlines operating in the EU should pay for any increase in carbon 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 said the proposals did not go far enough. | Environmental groups said the proposals did not go far enough. |
| Permits | Permits |
| "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 say aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2 Charges are "step forward" | 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 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 their average 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 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). | 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 arguments | Economic arguments |
| 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. | 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. |
| "It will be a burden and it might be a heavy burden," said AEA spokeswoman Francoise Humbert said. | "It will be a burden and it might be a heavy burden," said AEA spokeswoman Francoise Humbert said. |
| The Commission said it expected short-haul air tickets to rise by 1.8 euros (£1.20) to 9 euros each by 2020. | The Commission said it expected short-haul air tickets to rise by 1.8 euros (£1.20) to 9 euros each by 2020. |
| 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 Q&A: EU carbon trading | 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 Q&A: EU carbon trading |
| It added that the scheme would prevent aviation emissions rising by 100% and limit the growth to 54%. However, part of this reduction would be achieved by other participants in the ETS, which would sell permits to the airlines. | |
| The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) estimated the scheme would cut aviation emissions themselves by only 3%. | The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) estimated the scheme would cut aviation emissions themselves by only 3%. |
| "After 10 years of talk, we welcome the world's first multilateral plan to cut aviation emissions," said T&E director Joe Dings. | "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 emissions rather than giving them a free ride." | "But the end result must actually encourage airlines to cut their emissions rather 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". | 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". |