EU forces emissions cap on airlines

EU ministers have agreed to impose carbon emissions quotas on airlines in an attempt to fight climate change.

The Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, said a strong signal had to be sent but the United States opposes the idea and has threatened legal action.

Of course they do, the current administration will place business interests above people’s health every time.

The airline industry fears the cost of the carbon trading scheme could force some carriers out of business.

Mr. Dimas, said aviation is responsible for 3% of carbon emissions. Now they need to work on other emitters too.

He said aviation emissions had doubled since 1990 and were predicted to double again by 2020.

The airlines would have to meet their quotas, either by cutting their emissions or by buying energy credits from other industries.

Environment ministers meeting in Brussels agreed that airlines would have to buy 10% of permits upfront at auction in 2012, substantially lower than the proportion suggested by the European Parliament.

They also set the cap on emissions at the average level from 2004-2006.