EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions

Airlines operating in the EU should pay for any increase in their 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.

But environmentalists said the measures were too weak to make much difference.

The commissioners' idea is to bring internal EU flights inside the bloc's emissions trading scheme from 2011, with other flights following in 2012.

The aviation industry generally welcomed the plan.

Permits

"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."
SINS OF EMISSION
Aircraft produce about 3% of EU CO2 emissions - more than refineries or steel plants
They also emit nitrogen oxides which lead to the formation of another greenhouse gas, ozone
Condensation trails, which can develop into cirrus clouds, may also have a warming effect
International experts say aviation will account for 5% of total warming in 2050
The emissions trading scheme only covers CO2

Charges are "step forward"


The commission says 46% of this expected growth in aviation emissions - or 183 million tonnes of CO2 per year - would be saved if its plan was implemented in full.

However, a large part of the saving would be achieved by other participants in the emissions trading scheme (ETS), which would sell emission allowances to the airlines.

The plan would work by issuing airlines with emissions allowances, mostly free of charge, based on their average carbon use between 2004 and 2006.

An airline that cut its emissions would be able to sell its surplus permits, while one that increased emissions would have to buy extra permits from industry or from other airlines.

'Lost battle'

Environmentalists say Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas wanted tougher action against airlines' emissions, but lost an internal battle following a huge lobbying campaign by industry.
CARBON TRADING
Designed to be a cheap method of achieving emissions cuts
Ensures the cheapest efficiency savings are made first
National governments allocate allowances to industry, in line with their Kyoto target
National plans vetted by European Commission
Allows participants to gain credits by financing clean development projects abroad

Q&A: EU carbon trading

BBC Environment Analyst Roger Harrabin says the airlines have escaped a plan to make them buy their allowances at auction.

"They have escaped with most of their privileged tax-free status intact. And perhaps most seriously, they don't have to account for emissions of other greenhouse gases, probably three times more powerful than CO2, that happen not to be included in the trading scheme," he says.

The European Commission said it expected short-haul air tickets to rise by 1.8 euros (£1.20) to 9 euros each by 2020 - too little, environmentalists said, to deter people flying.

But the Association of European Airlines (AEA), representing big carriers such as British Airways, Air France KLM and Lufthansa, said the proposals would force its members to buy emission permits.

"It will be a burden and it might be a heavy burden," said AEA spokeswoman Francoise Humbert.

EU tackles aircraft CO2 emissions