Aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community

15.9.2010

Question for oral answer O-0127/2010
to the Commission
Rule 115
Peter Liese, Mathieu Grosch
on behalf of the PPE Group
Saïd El Khadraoui, Kathleen Van Brempt, Matthias Groote
on behalf of the S&D Group
Chris Davies, Holger Krahmer
on behalf of the ALDE Group
Martin Callanan
on behalf of the ECR Group
Satu Hassi
on behalf of the Verts/ALE Group

The aim of Directive 2008/101/EC was to include aviation in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community, and it does not apply only to airlines in the EU; not only flights within Europe, but also flights to third countries fall under the directive.[1]

From 1 January 2012, all flights arriving at or departing from an EU airport will be included in the scheme. Operators from all states providing such flights will therefore be included, regardless of whether they are based in the EU. In this context, the EU considers that this directive is only a first step towards its final goal of a global sect oral agreement concerning the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from aviation. The legislation also contains provisions that allow its adjustment should third countries adopt similar measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their aviation sectors.

But in recent days, third countries have urged the International Civil Aviation Organisation to pass a resolution stating that countries ‘seeking to implement an emissions trading system that applies to other contracting states’ aircraft operators’ do so only ‘on the basis of mutual agreement’. The meeting of the assembly of the ICAO will take place at the end of this month.

Could the Commission provide information's about its negotiation strategy? To what extent is the position of the European Parliament being taken into account in the negotiations?

Tabled: 15.9.2010

Forwarded: 17.9.2010

Deadline for reply: 24.9.2010

• [1]  OJ L 8, 13.1.2009, p. 3.