On Thursday, 9 December, EU Member States’ transport ministers discussed the two parts of the ‘Fit for 55’ package (see EUROPE 12762/1) on alternative fuels and own resources in the field of air transport (ReFuelEU Aviation) (see EUROPE 12762/7).
A large majority of Member States have expressed their support for the European Commission’s proposal on this issue, which sets targets for 2025, 2030, and then 2050—the date by which the sector must be carbon neutral. Nevertheless, a number of elements still need to be resolved.
“The sector’s recovery must go hand in hand with our climate objectives. We must improve how air traffic systems are managed; we need greener aircraft and alternative fuels”, summarised the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Specifically, the question of production and distribution capacity often came up during the ministers’ speeches, whereas the European Commission’s goal is to establish an increasing share of sustainable alternative fuels for aviation in the energy mix.
To this end, certain Member States are advocating a broadening of the definition of the fuels that can be used. For others—such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium—the list must stick to the clean fuels included in the original proposal.
“The obligation of quotas in the mix sends a very clear signal to manufacturers. We need to keep the criteria for the future in order to know where we are going [and] maintain a high level of ambition. We must also pay attention to airport refuelling capacity. This would not be a matter of endangering aviation either”, declared the Austrian representative.
Avoiding intermediate refuelling in third countries
Besides questions on the capacity to develop alternative fuels quickly, several ministers also insisted on effective cooperation so as to prevent third EU countries from becoming intermediate points where airlines would go to refuel in order to avoid the EU’s stricter rules.
The question of the transition period—closely tied to how fast alternative solutions are developed—was also raised several times, as was that of taxation.
With regard to the transition period, the Slovenian Presidency of the Council was notably anxious to point out that “not all Member States are starting from the same point”.
Finally, on the economic side of things, certain Member States, such as Sweden, felt that favourable tax treatment for using alternative fuels could act as a lever in such energy being increasingly adopted. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)