Air, Business, Freight News, Logistics

Opposition grows to emission trading

[ February 24, 2012   //   Chris ]

The controversial ETS, which came into effect on 1 January, levies a charge on flights in EU airspace based on carbon emissions. It has been strongly criticised by carriers outside Europe and by the airfreight industry as a restriction on trade.

Some 29 countries signed a declaration opposing EU attempts to introduce a compulsory mission Trading Scheme (ETS) and charges for emission quotas for all airlines operating in its airspace. At a two-day international conference in Moscow on 22 February, a group of countries led by the US, Russia, China and India,signed the declaration, adding that more countries might follow suit.

However, many of the delegations at the conference were professional associations and air operators rather than government officials, so the declaration has no legal standing.

Another international conference on the subject will take place in summer.