Sun, Jun 10, 2007
Needs Parliamentary Nod For Implementation
A
controversial plan to require airlines to pay for the amount of
carbon dioxide their aircraft put into the atmosphere won the
approval of transport ministers in the European Union Saturday.
The measure -- aimed at cutting back to greenhouse gases --
requires approval by the European Parliament before it becomes law.
If that happens, in less than four years airlines would be forced
to either cut back on the amount of carbon dioxide produced, or
purchase credits from other industries -- a practice known as
carbon trading.
Airlines are opposed to the forced implementation of the plan,
stating the carbon-capping scheme, to be imposed in 2011, would
cost the industry over $5 billion annually -- while providing
negligible benefits to the environment.
They point out airliners are responsible for less than two
percent of global carbon emissions -- and manufacturers like Boeing
and Airbus are working on more efficient planes, powered by cleaner
engines, that should bring that percentage down further.
The European Union has vowed to curb carbon dioxide emissions
throughout all industries 20 percent by 2020.
"Every mode of transport, including the air mode, has to make
its contribution to tackling climate change," said Wolfgang
Tiefensee, Germany's transport minister, to the BBC.
For the moment, the proposal includes only EU carriers. The
United States has warned the EU that attempting to impose the plan
on non-EU airlines could be a violation of international aviation
rules.
More News
From 2023 (YouTube Version): Legacy of a Titan Robert (Bob) Anderson Hoover was a fighter pilot, test pilot, flight instructor, and air show superstar. More so, Bob Hoover was an i>[...]
Get The Latest in Aviation News NOW on Instagram Are you on Instagram yet? It's been around for a few years, quietly picking up traction mostly thanks to everybody's new obsession >[...]
Aero Linx: B-52H Stratofortress The B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber that can perform a variety of missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic spee>[...]
Altimeter Setting The barometric pressure reading used to adjust a pressure altimeter for variations in existing atmospheric pressure or to the standard altimeter setting (29.92).>[...]
"Knowing that we play an active part in bettering people's lives is extremely rewarding. My team and I are very thankful for the opportunity to be here and to help in any way we ca>[...]