Brussels, 26/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The provisional agreement reached in trialogue on 12 March to “stop the clock” on ETS was endorsed on Tuesday 26 March by the European Parliament committee on the environment. The agreement aims to temporarily exempt third country airlines from the ETS requirement when flying to and from EU airports in order to appease those opposed to the ETS. It also aims to promote a substantial internal agreement on reducing CO2 emissions from the aviation sector at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) assembly in September.
The exemption enjoyed by intercontinental flights of third country airlines will only apply to 2012 emissions for which certificates should have been notified by 30 April 2013. The permanent representatives of member states (Coreper) had endorsed the agreement on 20 March, prior to the Environment Council (see EUROPE10811). The European Parliament's vote will take place during the plenary session from 15 to 18 April. The Council's endorsement is also required so that the text amending the ETS directive may take effect by 30 April. (AN/transl.jl)