EU includes aviation in CO2 curbs
July 8, 2008
The European Parliament has backed a law to include aviation in Europe's CO2 Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for cutting greenhouse gases.
MEPs voted 640 to 30 for aviation to be included in the scheme from 2012. It includes both EU and non-EU airlines.
Under the UN's Kyoto Protocol, the EU is required to cut its CO2 emissions by 8% from 1990 levels by 2012.
Airlines will have to cut emissions by 3% in the first year, compared to 2005, and by 5% from 2013 onwards.
The measures will now be ratified by the 27 EU member states, which agreed the deal in June.
Industries included in the ETS have to buy and sell permits that allow them to emit carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Airlines will have to pay for permits covering 15% of their pollution quotas, the remainder being issued free.
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