EU firm on charging airlines for emission
Despite growing international opposition, the European Union (EU) stands firmly by its decision to put a charge on airlines for carbon emission from next year while it is also prepared to listen and address the concerns of its ''global partners''.
“We are committed to fighting climate change and we believe it is indiscriminate legislation that we have adopted. We are open to continue discussing with our global partners and if the global agreement would be a bit different we are ready to accommodate it,” EU’s environment commissioner Janez Potocnik said here.
Emission cap on aviation sector has become legislation and it is not possible for the EU to back away despite countries like India finding it inconsistent with international law, he said.
The EU’s proposal to cap global-warming gases under its emission trading system makes it mandatory for airlines flying into its airspace to buy carbon credits equivalent to the carbon dioxide emitted by their aircraft. From 2012 onwards, under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), airlines will need to hold permits to emit tonnes of carbon above a certain cap, facing stiff penalties, including a potential ban should they fail to comply with them.
“In fighting today's climate change in Europe we are serious. So we want that each economic sector should contribute to fight climate change. The decision was taken in 2008 that aviation sector should also share this,” Potocnik said.
Decision to bill carbon emission by the EU has received fierce opposition from countries and their airline sector outside the region, including India.
