IATA “disappointed” by ETS ruling
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) expressed its disappointment that the EU Court of Justice did not support its stance on the aviation industry’s inclusion in the Emissions Trading scheme (ETS). The Advocate General of the Court of Justice (CJEU) failed to back up IATA’s challenge this week, but the industry body said it had not given up hope of getting aviation removed from the EU-ETS, which comes into force in 2012.
“We are disappointed with the opinion of the Advocate General, but it is only part of a complex set of developments concerning the EU-ETS,” said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General & CEO. “While the Advocate General of the CJEU believes that Europe is within its rights to move forward with this extra-territorial measure, that opinion is not shared in the international community. Many governments are rightly concerned about the infringements on sovereignty and the Chicago Convention that Europe’s plans pose. Last week more than 20 states – including India, China, Japan, the US, and Russia signed a declaration vowing to challenge the plan’s extra-territoriality at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). And India, for example, has very clearly indicated that if Europe proceeds it will retaliate,” said Tyler.
“We support and need positive economic measures as part of our strategy to manage aviation’s emissions. Emissions trading is one possibility. But it must be a global scheme under the leadership of ICAO… I encourage Europe to support a successful, global and effective solution through ICAO,” added Tyler.
IATA argues that the aviation industry’s own emission-cutting targets are ambitious enough, without the EU adding its own penalties to airlines. A final decision on aviation’s inclusion in the ETS is expected later this year.