Page 22 - AAA MARCH-APRIL 2012 Online Magazine

FEATURE EMISSIONS

EU Climate Action
Commissioner
Connie Hedegaard
Talking Points “unacceptable” that non-EU members wish to engage constructively with third
Recently, Isaac Valero Ladron, spokesman should force a stalemate by refusing countries during the implementation of
for EU Climate Action Commissioner to start negotiations until the ETS was this legislation,” she said.
Connie Hedegaard noted that: “ .. we suspended. So now negotiators at the Unfortunately, the other side of the
need to continue the serious work at ICAO talks are said to have whittled down table is equally assured of its stance.
ICAO to reach a global agreement… the their various options to two, according “We don’t want a trade war. But Europe’s
EU remains truly committed to make this to EurActiv. These are a global cap and unilateral and extra-territorial EU ETS
happen…” Ladron left some important trade system, or an offsetting scheme plans are clearly not acceptable to non-
wriggle room with his comment that that would involve a levy on aviation EU governments,” retorts IATA’s Tyler.
in the event of an ambitious global emissions to raise funds for climate- The saga continues.
agreement in force, “we will review our related projects
legislation.’’ But is it too late for a mere
review? “Europe has overreached. It Stall Speed
will have to scale back the scheme by However, Kallas seems to be in no hurry
postponing or suspending it a for couple for now: “The conditions are not right yet
of years, waiting for ICAO to come up with for EU ETS to (be suspended) because
a global framework,” asserts Herdman. we have time until 2013,” he asserted.
In fact, the talking has begun, albeit The other carrot is that during the 2012- GEARED EXPENSES
grudgingly. In February at the Asian air 2013 trading period, 85% of the total Professor David Lee, co-
transport industry leaders summit in available allowances will be allocated to author of a UNEP report on
Singapore, European Commission vice airlines free of charge and the remaining global action on greenhouse
president Siim Kallas said the EU was 15% will be auctioned by the EU. For the gas emissions from aviation
willing to negotiate over how ETS applies moment, the ball seems to bouncing noted that, contrary to popular
to airlines outside Europe but it will only uncomfortably in ICAO’s court. Whether it belief, aviation emissions have
do so only on its own terms and is in no can move the players towards a globally continued to grow strongly
hurry to give ground. Kallas indicated that accepted scheme is another issue - given throughout the financial crisis.
the EU is “ready to negotiate within our that the EU airlines are also its members. He estimated an 11.2% increase
own framework … it is mostly a matter of The EU is convinced it is doing the right between 2005 and 2010. And
principle.” – and legal – thing, as Hedegaard points a World Bank-IMF report on
“That is why it has been raised to a out. “I am glad to see that the Advocate climate finance points out that
political level,” he claimed. “We are General’s opinion concludes that the the airline industry is “lightly
serious in negotiating a solution,” EU Directive is fully compatible with taxed” compared to other key
he asserted – but described as international law. The EU reaffirms its industries. Research indicates
that aircraft and associated
infrastructure contribute about
Aircraft Causes 3% of greenhouse gas – at the
3.2% air passenger numbers will hit
moment. And the ICAO predicts

6 billion a year on scheduled

today’s level. Do the maths.
Greenhouse Gas emissions in the U.S. services by 2030, roughly double

22 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MARCH / APRIL 2012 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM