Under new legislation, airlines will have to purchase and sell special permits to emit carbon dioxide.

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) have voted in favour of aviation being included in the EU CO2 Emissions Trading System (ETS) which is aimed at cutting the production of greenhouse gases.

MEPs yesterday (8 July) voted 640 in favour of the move, which means airlines are now required to cut emissions by 3% in 2012 – the first year of the programme – and 5% in 2013.

It means airlines will have to purchase and sell special permits to emit carbon dioxide – covering 15% of their pollution quota, with the other 85% allocated for free. 

Money raised through the auctioning of emissions allowances will then be used to fund climate change mitigation; research the development of clean aircraft and low-emission transport; and to implement anti-deforestation measures in the developing world.

Peter Liese, a European MEP who helped to plan the aviation package, commented: “Of course, a global agreement is our final goal, but the inclusion of third country flights starting and landing in Europe is a major step for the global fight against climate change. Other industries like steel would very much like to be in such a situation.”
 
Craft exempted under the ETS scheme include light airplanes with a take-off weight under 5.7 tonnes; flights for humanitarian purposes under a UN mandate; fire-fighting, emergency, police, customs and military and research flights; and small airline companies producing low emissions.
 
Flights for Heads of State, Heads of Government and Government Ministers are also included.
 
The European Commission said the new legislation means that by 2020 airline tickets for a return journey could increase by €4.60 to €39.60 (£3.60 to £31), depending on the journey length.
 
By Natasha Piscitelli