Weak demands cast shadow over airlines CO2 move

NEWS UPDATE
FROM THE GUE/NGL GROUP

Strasbourg 13-11-2007

Weak demands cast shadow over airlines CO2 move
”I am pleased that aviation will now be included in the emission trading scheme* but unfortunately the conditions are much too weak” Swedish GUE/NGL MEP Jens Holm said today after the European Parliament’s vote on a report dealing with greenhouse gas emissions trading within the EU.

”The Summit in March decided to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by the year 2020 but real action is needed in order to achieve this target, not words” he said. With this vote, air transport will be included in the emissions trading scheme (ETS) but with significantly lower requirements than other sectors that are already in the scheme.

”Parliament voted to limit air transport’s CO2 emissions to 90% of the 2004 – 2006 levels from 2011 on. The GUE/NGL and the majority of the environment committee had sought a 2010 starting date” he finished.

*The European Union Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is the biggest international ETS in the world. Under the EU ETS, major emitters of CO2 within the EU must monitor and report their emissions. Allowances traded in the EU ETS are held in accounts in electronic registries set up by Member States.