IATA backs US ETS stance

Tony Tyler

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has welcomed the outcome of the meeting in the US intended to formulate a global alternative to the EU’s unpopular Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

Seventeen of the world’s largest aviation powers convened in Washington DC this week to discuss a new deal to reduce carbon emissions, under the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). As expected, the group reaffirmed their opposition to the ETS and agreed to pursue the goals of the ICAO Assembly’s 2010 Resolution, including the carbon-neutral growth from 2020.

IATA also welcomed the US Senate Commerce Committee’s decision to pass a bill that would effectively prohibit US carriers from participating in the ETS.

“The global aviation community is encouraged to see that in spite of the EU’s insistence on defending its divisive scheme, governments outside Europe recognise the tremendous socio-economic benefits from aviation and are making determined efforts to find common ground to deliver a global solution through ICAO that is acceptable to all,” IATA said in a statement.

China and India have already stated their unwillingness to comply with the ETS, but the threat of non-compliance from US carriers is the biggest threat to the scheme to-date.

By Mark Elliott, 3 August 2012, Friday 12:09 AM