Retaliation is not the solution to the ETS dispute

[sn26567]

Airlines must not become a target for retaliatory action, triggered by a battle of sovereignty over European policy. This was the clear message given today by the Association of European Airlines (AEA).

On 21-22 February, a number of non-European countries met in Moscow to co-ordinate their opposition to aviation’s inclusion in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS). This meeting culminated in a joint declaration and a series of suggested retaliatory measures to be used against European industry.

“This situation is totally unacceptable. Airlines must not be taken hostage by politicians or be forced to compete with serious market distortions,” said Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus, AEA Secretary General. “We urgently need both sides to focus on the core objective – managing global aviation emissions – rather than on winning a battle of sovereignty.”

European and non-European countries may have diverging views on the sovereignty implications of the EU ETS, but they broadly agree that a global approach is the best way to manage aviation emissions. They also agree that this solution should be handled by ICAO, the UN specialist body for aviation.

“It is not right to attempt to force the EU to change their law. Nor is it right to impose European standards on the rest of the world,” said Mr Schulte-Strathaus. “ICAO is, without a doubt, the way forward. Countries must move away from retaliation and counter-retaliation and instead come up with concrete, short-term actions towards a resolution. Then ICAO can deliver.”

AEA 22 February 2012

[earthman]

The EU is free to demand whatever fees they want from airlines flying over or into EU territory. See the overflight fees/permits for flying from Europe to Asia over Russia.

[sn26567]

The problem is that the EU asks money on the whole distance flown by an aircraft taking off or landing in the EU (from the airport of origin to the airport of destination), not on the distance flown in or over the EU. If a compromise solution must be negotiated, the EU will probably have to limit its ambitions by asking a tax only for the distance flown over the EU.

[earthman]

I am shocked. I didn't know they wanted money for the whole distance, that is just freaking ridiculous! What were they thinking? Next thing they'll ask money every time someone says ni hao in China! The EU should lay off the cocaine for a while, and take a good look at a map of the world.