The EU puts a hold on carbon tax for airlines
The European Union is putting a year-long hold on its plans to enforce a carbon tax on aircraft flying to and from non-European countries.
The European Union is putting a year-long hold on its plans to enforce an emissions tax on aircraft flying to and from non-European countries, but will resume the enforcement if its targets are not met.
Following news that the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) would set-up a high level policy group last Friday, today, Connie Hedegaard (pictured), EU Commissioner for Climate Action announced a change in the Commision’s strategy to include airline in its emissions trading scheme (ETS).
“In order create a positive atmosphere around these negotiations, I’ve just recommended in a telephone conference with the 27 Member States that the EU “stops the clock” when it comes to enforcement of the inclusion of aviation in the EU ETS to and from non-European countries until after the ICAO General Assembly next autumn,” she said.
“But let me be very clear: if this exercise does not deliver – and I hope it does, then needless to say we are back to where we are today with the EU ETS. Automatically.”
The EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) was established in 2003 and came into effect on 1 January 2005.
Watch a video from the press conference below:
