MEPs have appealed to US President Barack Obama to help find a global solution on how to charge airlines for carbon emissions.
The EU had been due to start collecting carbon permits from non-EU airlines in April under its controversial emissions trading scheme (ETS) which last year provoked fears of a trade war with major nations outside Europe.
But this move was postponed by the EU in November when it decided to delay the process to allow ICAO time to try to find a global system for airline emissions. ETS is still going ahead for all flights between airports within the EU as originally planned.
This decision to “stop the clock” was approved yesterday (February 26) by the European Parliament’s environment committee which also warned that countries outside the EU had to “engage in the issue”.
Committee member Peter Liese said: “I appeal especially to US President Obama, who has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his commitment to tackle climate change and to Secretary of State [John] Kerry who introduced the Kerry-Lieberman bill in the Senate which paved the way for emissions trading for the US economy including aviation.
“They could lose all the credibility if they continue opposing a solution in this important area.”
MEPs also added an amendment saying that “the exception made for intercontinental flights should apply for a maximum of one year, which could be prolonged only if “clear and sufficient” progress is made within the ICAO”.
The EU has warned that progress on creating a global system for emissions trading must be made by the time ICAO holds its annual assembly in September.
Tony Tyler, chief executive of IATA, warned in a speech in Hong Kong this week that “we should not be lulled into thinking that a global deal will be easy”.
“ICAO is exploring three options for a global MBM (market-based measure): carbon offsetting, carbon offsetting with a revenue-generating component, and a full, global ETS,” added Tyler.
“With a straightforward carbon offsetting scheme, an airline would have to buy carbon credits to cover any excess emissions over an agreed baseline. Monitoring, reporting and verification procedures would be subject to global standards as would the environmental schemes supported. That’s the first option.
“The second option would combine this with a revenue-generating component. A further charge would be linked with the credits being bought and the extra revenue would then be used to support further environmental mitigation projects.
“The third option is a non-discriminatory, non-distortive, global ETS. This would have to include commitments on how to spend any money raised. Having a global scheme would eliminate the sovereignty issues that plagued Europe’s unilateral plans for its ETS.”