Green Party Senator and EU Affairs Spokesperson, Déirdre de Búrca has welcomed a strong result (1) in a recent vote by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on proposals to include aviation in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): 
“This vote demonstrates the EU Parliament’s determination to get tough with the aviation sector. It is vital that MEPs stick to their guns on this crucial piece of legislation – a forerunner for full Emissions Trading Scheme Review..   
Senator De Búrca particularly welcomed the Committee’s proposal to limit the number of permits airlines can buy up from other industries.” This is the only way in which it can be ensured that the aviation sector itself begins to reduce its emissions, rather than pay its way out of the problem” she said. 
“One of the key principles underpinning schemes like the Emissions Trading Scheme is that the cap should progressively reduce over time. Unfortunately the Council is seeking to keep aircraft operators’ initial allocation at the same level for all subsequent trading periods. Fortunately MEPs have voted to gradually reduce the provision of allowances to airlines in line with the reduction expected for other sectors”.
 
“It’s crucial, too, that the Environment Committee has voted to increase the percentage of permits that are allocated through auctioning to 25% for the first two years of the scheme’s operation – far short of the European Greens preferred option of 100%, but still a significant improvement on the Council’s meagre suggestion of 10%. MEPs sought to increase the percentage in subsequent phases, possibly to as much as 100%. And they want the scheme to begin in 2011 rather than 2012, as they believe we have no time to lose in taking action on such a rapidly-growing source of emissions”.
 
The Council’s Common Position is extremely worrying. Although MEPs have agreed to cooperate in trying to secure a quick second reading agreement in the interests of getting legislation in place as soon as possible, I believe that they will accept a compromise only if the Council makes significant moves towards the Parliament’s more climate-friendly position during the forthcoming negotiations”says De Búrca.(1) Peter Liesse’s Report adopted with 54 in favour, 4 against and 1 abstention.

For further information • Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 14 50
 
 

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European Affairs, Press Release by Deirdre