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EU to tackle aircraft emissions EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions
(about 2 hours later)
Europe's airlines are expected to have limits set on the amount of greenhouse gases they can emit. Airlines operating in the EU should be made to pay if they exceed fixed limits on greenhouse gas emissions, the European Commission has decided.
The EU's environment commissioner is to propose including airlines in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), which aims to tackle climate change. Internal EU flights should be brought inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with other flights following in 2012, the commission says.
At first the plan would include flights within the EU, expanding to include flights in and out of the EU by 2012. Emissions from aircraft in the EU have increased by 87% since 1990, and are expected to more than double by 2020.
Environmental groups say the measures do not go far enough to make a serious dent in greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups say the EU proposals do not go far enough.
The ETS aims to meet Europe's obligations under the Kyoto protocol to deal with such emissions. Permits
Up to now, the aviation sector has been outside the carbon trading scheme. "EU emissions from international air transport are increasing faster than from any other sector," the commission said.
That was due to its exclusion from the Kyoto protocol discussions, which set out the roadmap for cutting dangerous gases from the atmosphere. "This growth threatens to undermine the EU's progress in cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions."
But EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has said he hopes to aim for a 30% cut in EU emissions by 2020. The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) aims to meet Europe's obligations under the Kyoto protocol to reduce output of greenhouse gases.
Until now, the aviation sector has been outside the carbon trading scheme.
Under the ETS airlines would receive permits to emit a fixed level of carbon dioxide, CO2.
Those that reduce emissions can sell any permits they do not use. But if they increase their emissions they will be forced to buy additional permits from other businesses in the ETS.
The scheme now covers more than half of Europe's emissions.
Economic argumentsEconomic arguments
Air travel currently accounts for between 3% and 8% of unwanted gases - figures issued by the industry and environmental groups vary within this range. Air travel currently accounts for between 3% and 8% of the gases - figures issued by the industry and environmental groups vary within this range.
The BBC's Joe Lynam in Brussels says the aviation industry admits it has a role to play combating climate change.The BBC's Joe Lynam in Brussels says the aviation industry admits it has a role to play combating climate change.
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 But is also quick to point out how important air travel is to economic growth.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 But is also quick to point out how important air travel is to economic growth.
Aviation body Iata contends that grounding all airliners would have a small impact on CO2 emission - but a dramatic one on the global economy.Aviation body Iata contends that grounding all airliners would have a small impact on CO2 emission - but a dramatic one on the global economy.
Environmental campaigners are concerned that any cap on emissions will be set at 2004-06 levels, so would not require any decrease in pollution on current levels. Environmental campaigners are concerned that any cap on emissions will be set at current levels, and not demand any decrease in pollution.
Friends of the Earth said the emissions limits needed to be part of a package of measures.Friends of the Earth said the emissions limits needed to be part of a package of measures.
"This must include ending tax breaks enjoyed by the industry and abandoning airport expansion plans," the group said in a statement."This must include ending tax breaks enjoyed by the industry and abandoning airport expansion plans," the group said in a statement.
"Our targets for tackling climate change are unlikely to be met unless we urgently tackle rising emissions from planes.""Our targets for tackling climate change are unlikely to be met unless we urgently tackle rising emissions from planes."
Consumer groups are worried that it will be travellers and not the airline companies who will end up paying to make the skies greener, our correspondent adds.Consumer groups are worried that it will be travellers and not the airline companies who will end up paying to make the skies greener, our correspondent adds.