News
NBAA welcomes delay for EU-ETS implementation
Nov. 13, 2012, Orlando, Fla. - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today applauded a recommendation by the European Union’s Commissioner for Climate Action to delay by one year implementation of the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU-ETS) for aviation.
November 13, 2012 By Carey Fredericks
Citing positive developments at a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Nov. 9, Commissioner Connie Hedegaard suggested in a conference call with representatives of the 27 EU Member States that they “stop the clock” on implementation for one year when it comes to the enforcement of EU-ETS requirements on non-European based operators conducting flights originating from outside Europe. Those operators based within the European Union will still be required to comply, and it appears that intra-European flights may be subject to the scheme.
Hedegaard said the moratorium would remain in effect for one year, until after the ICAO General Assembly next autumn, where she expects an agreement on the international regulation of carbon emissions within the aviation industry.
“But let me also be very clear,” she wrote in a memo dated Monday, Nov. 12, “if this exercise ends in nothing, then needless to say we are back to where we are today with the EU-ETS. And we are back there automatically.”
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen warmly greeted Hedegaard’s statement as a major step back from the brink of a looming trade conflict.
“The international business aviation community is clearly committed to minimizing its environmental footprint,” Bolen said. “We believe this is a global issue that requires a global solution, not a unilateral solution imposed by some on others. NBAA appreciates Commissioner Hedegaard’s recognition of this fact and her decision to give ICAO an opportunity to create that global solution. NBAA looks forward to participating in the dialogue for developing effective emissions policies.”
