Davies welcomes aircraft emissions trading deal

Chris Davies MEP

Rochdale MEP Chris Davies has welcomed the EU's success in securing the agreement in principle of nations across the world to reduce aircraft CO2 emissions.

Mr Davies, the Liberal Democrat leader on the European Parliament’s Environment committee, was reacting to news that the EU will suspend its controversial Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for flights starting outside the EU to give time for a global agreement to be sealed.

Under the ETS, a ceiling is set on CO2 emissions from aircraft, providing part of the contribution to limiting greenhouse gas emissions from the 27 country bloc.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) agreed last week to move to a binding deal for all air flights next year, overcoming years of opposition from the USA and China.

Mr Davies said, “The UK on its own could never have brought the Americans and Chinese to the table. We needed the diplomatic and economic muscle of 27 countries speaking with one voice.

“The world now knows that there is either a deal on aircraft emissions that applies globally, or the EU will impose a regime on flights in its airspace in 12 months time.

“The EU has succeeded in forcing airlines to give real substance to global warming concerns.”