"Progress needed at international level"
The UK government will push for aviation to be included in any internationally agreed climate change deal, transport secretary Geoff Hoon said.
Addressing the International Transport Forum in Leipzig yesterday, Mr Hoon said aviation should be included in carbon trading schemes, emissions standards and in drives for new technology.
"What we really need is progress at an international level," Mr Hoon said.
"One key means is through a well-designed emissions trading scheme. That's why the UK has pushed hard to include aviation in the European Emissions Trading System."
Transport ministers, business leaders and other policy makers were expected to attend the conference, aimed at addressing the economic challenges facing transport.
Mr Hoon said there would be a push to include international aviation in discussions at the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.
"It is one of the great missed opportunities that aviation and shipping were not tackled effectively by the Kyoto Protocol.
"That led to over a decade of inaction. We cannot afford to wait any longer. It is vital that we put that right at Copenhagen."
Aviation and shipping were omitted from the Kyoto Protocol signed in 1997. It is due to expire in 2012
The Copenhagen Climate Conference will bring together governments to renew the international agreement on climate change.
Mr Hoon called for transport policymakers to champion the climate change issue, rather than leave it to others.
"If we do not lead this debate, then others will," he said.
"Transport will leave itself wide open to accusations that it is part of the problem, rather than part of the solution."
Mr Hoon stressed the importance of new technology and its central role in both aviation and shipping.
"Innovations such as blended wings, open rotors and lighter weight composite materials have the potential to cut emissions in our skies," he said.
www.internationaltransportforum.org www.dft.gov.uk