IATA blasts EU’s ETS decision

By on Oct 28, 2008

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has slammed the decision of the European Council of Justice and Home Affairs ministers for rubber stamping - and sealing into law - Europe's decision to bring air transport into the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) from 2012

"Crisis is not the time for rubber stamps But that is exactly what the Council of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers used today - without a word of debate - to seal into law the €35 billion cost of bringing airlines into the European ETS," said IATA director general & CEO Giovanni Bisignani "It's Brussels acting in a bubble - even in the middle of a global economic crisis"

Bisignani pointed out that IATA does not oppose emissions trading Positive economic measures are part of the industry's four-pillar strategy to address climate change Along with economic measures, efficiency needs to be improved with technology, operations and infrastructure

"While Brussels has been fast to introduce its regional ETS scheme, it has been slow to improve efficiency We need the same urgency to deliver an effective Single European Sky that would save billions of Euros in cost and 16 million tonnes of CO2 annually That we have been waiting decades for this is Europe's biggest environmental embarrassment," said Bisignani

He highlighted the need for a fair and effective global approach While various government figures support ICAO's leadership to deliver a global solution for aviation and the environment, there has been little - if any - supporting action

"The best way to a global solution is through ICAO's Group on International Aviation & Climate Change (GIACC)," said Bisignani "Brussels must support the success of this process"

IATA also noted the inclusion of aviation in Europe's general review of its ETS programs "Reviewing the effectiveness of emissions trading where programs have been operational has value But what enlightened decisions can we expect from a review that will conclude even before today's decision takes effect in 2012?" questioned Bisignani "Far better that we address this on the basis of experience than speculation"