Chinese challenge to EU emissions scheme

The China Air Transport Association, which represents the country's four major airlines including flag-carrier Air China, says Chinese airlines would not pay any charges under the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

"China will not co-operate with the European Union on the ETS, so Chinese airlines will not impose surcharges on customers relating to the emissions tax," Deputy Secretary-General Cai Haibo said.

It is believed that India, also highly critical of the ETS, could refuse to co-operate by withholding emissions data.  Last month an attempt by Airlines for America failed when the Court of Justice of the European Union said that the inclusion of aviation in the scheme was valid.  Airlines could be fined or even excluded from the region if they fail to comply with the ETS.

The EU began charging airlines for carbon emissions on flights to and from Europe from 1 January. http://ec.europa.eu/clima/policies/ets/index_en.htm

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