Wednesday 8 April 2009

Airlines propose emissions target plan

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Tuesday 7/4/2009 Page: 3

A GROUP of international airlines has issued a strong message to United Nations climate change negotiators - include us in your post-Kyoto deal. As many sectors of the economy try to talk down the impact of their operations on global warming, the aviation industry is taking the lead, proposing a "cap-and-trade" emissions scheme for all airlines to comply with.

The Aviation Global Deal Group - including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Air France/KLM, Virgin Atlantic and airport operator BAA - has handed a draft policy framework to UN climate change officials. The framework, obtained by BusinessDay, proposes a global agreement accounting for the emissions of all airlines and the establishment of a UN body to administer the cap-and-trade scheme.

Under the proposal, airlines would be required to meet a global emissions target. Revenue generated from the auctioning of carbon permits would be used for climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in developing countries and for research into greener aviation technology. A final framework is expected to be given to UN climate change negotiators in June ahead of the post-Kyoto discussions set to take place in Copenhagen in December.

Mark Kenber, policy director of The Climate Group, which has been involved in formulating the position paper, said the aviation sector should be commended for taking responsibility for its environmental impact. Emissions from aviation related activities contribute up to 2% of global emissions.

Link www.theclimategroup.org

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