Airlines face pollution limits
Europe’s airlines face pollution limits for the first time following a deal struck in Brussels this afternoon.
A landmark accord brings aviation into the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme, making air travel subject to restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions in recognition of the sector’s impact on the environment.
The deal, which still needs approval from Euro-MPs and EU transport ministers, mirrors the emissions trading scheme already in place for European industries, under which the European Commission approves national annual CO2 output limits, within which “green” sectors can trade emission permits with companies emitting more CO2.
The “polluter pays” system provides flexibility within an unbreakable maximum national CO2 allocation.
Now airlines will take part in a similar carbon trading scheme which caps CO2 output from aircraft at 2004-2006 levels. But airlines will be able to trade emissions between them and any further growth in aviation emissions will need to be cancelled out by emission reductions in other sectors.
Subject to final agreement next year, the new deal will come into effect in 2012, applying to all flights between EU countries and flights taking off from or landing in an EU country.
The entirety of any international flights starting or ending in EU territory will be considered to be covered by the deal, and not just the part of the flight in EU airspace.
Airlines will be regulated by the EU country in which they run the majority of their flights, and any in breach of the CO2 ceilings will face legal action.
But environmental campaigning group WWF said the ceiling agreed for airline emissions was almost 90% above 1990 levels, and let the aviation industry off too lightly.
“This is a Christmas gift to the aviation industry which should be required to do its fair share in tackling climate change” said Delia Villagrasa, Senior Advisor at WWF’s European Policy Office.
“The sector’s carbon emissions are growing by four to five per cent per year, and ministers’ failure to grapple with this is completely at odds with the European pledge to reduce emissions by 20-30% by 2020.”
She said such a “lenient” approach to airlines was a backward step from the Bali clime change pledges.
The aviation plan now goes to the European Parliament for a vote likely to take place in spring next year – and WWF urged MEPs to toughen up today’s accord.
Aviation is one of the fastest-growing contributors to CO2 emissions.
Aircraft produce about 3% of all EU CO2 emissions – more than oil refineries or steel works – and experts forecast that airlines will account for 5% of global warming in 2050.
