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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions | EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Airlines operating in the EU must pay for any increase in greenhouse gas emissions above current levels, the European Commission has decided. | |
| Internal EU flights should be brought inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with all others following in 2012, officials say. | |
| Emissions from aircraft in the EU have increased by 87% since 1990, and are expected to double again by 2020. | Emissions from aircraft in the EU have increased by 87% since 1990, and are expected to double again by 2020. |
| Environmental groups say the proposals do not go far enough. | |
| Permits | Permits |
| "EU emissions from international air transport are increasing faster than from any other sector," a commission statement says. | "EU emissions from international air transport are increasing faster than from any other sector," a commission statement says. |
| 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 |
| "This growth threatens to undermine the EU's progress in cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions." | "This growth threatens to undermine the EU's progress in cutting overall greenhouse gas emissions." |
| It adds that someone flying from London to New York and back does more damage than heating an average European home for a year. | It adds that someone flying from London to New York and back does more damage 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. | |
| Those that reduce emissions would be able to 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 Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). | |
| The scheme, which aims to bring Europe into line with its obligations under the Kyoto protocol, now covers nearly half of the bloc's emissions. | |
| Economic arguments | Economic arguments |
| Air travel currently accounts for between 3% and 8% of Europe's greenhouse gases - figures issued by the industry and environmental groups vary within this range. | Air travel currently accounts for between 3% and 8% of Europe's greenhouse 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. |
| But is also quick to point out how important air travel is to economic growth. | 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 say the scheme should force airlines to cut their emissions, instead of pegging them at the current level. | |
| 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. |