Emissions row continues

A European Union plan to include all airlines flying to Europe in the Emissions Trading Scheme from next year is unfair and contrary to global efforts to fight climate change, China's state-run Xinhua news agency is reported to have said.  Xinhua, whose commentaries are a reflection of government thinking on major issues or controversies, said the scheme had been ill thought out.

"In the name of dealing with climate change, the EU's approach will generate enormous financial benefits at the expense of the rest of the world, including developing countries," it said in an English language commentary.

"Studies show that the extra costs of the EU's plan will amount to US$1.6bn in the first year alone.  The direction of the cash flow is contrary to the spirit of the agreements reached at the UN Cancun climate change conference last year."

In a further move US airlines have taken the European Union to court, arguing that charging foreign companies for carbon permits violates international agreements.  The Luxembourg-based European Court’s Advocate General will deliver her opinion on the case on 6 October, which will be followed by a final judgement by the Court at a later date. http://europa.eu/about-eu/institutions-bodies/court-justice/index_en.htm

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