Brussels, 12/04/2007 (Agence Europe) - Work is intensifying at the European Parliament on the draft directive to include the civil aviation sector in the Community greenhouse gas emissions trading scheme (ETS) to reduce the impact of air transport on climate change. German Christian Democrat MEP and member of the environment committee Peter Liese is the main rapporteur on this issue (the transport committee will be asked to give its opinion). He is currently bringing the finishing touches to a working document in preparation for the first reading in the environment committee on this proposal brought forward by the European Commission in December (see EUYROPE 9332).
The proposed directive covers all internal and international flights between EU airports, with effect from 2011, before the system is extended to all international flights to or from EU airports in 2012. “Since 1990, air transport emissions have increased by 100%. This is in complete contradiction to the target set for the EU under the Kyoto Protocol (an 8% reduction in emissions between 2008 and 2012). Saying that air traffic accounts for only 3% of total emissions is not a convincing argument if one bears in mind that air transport accounts for only 0.6% of GNP. As rapporteur, I am preparing the Parliament's position to find a solution that can have the support of all the political groups and the other European institutions,” Mr Liese said, as he presented the main thrust of his working document to the press.
It was essential, he said, to: - ensure the maximum reduction in emissions was achieved, while avoiding competition distortions with airlines from third countries and the various forms of transport (in line with the preliminary guidelines set out by the Parliament, based on the report by Caroline Lucas in July 2006 - EUROPE 9226); - agree on a harmonised method of allocating emission quotas (in line with what the Commission is proposing) by reaching a compromise of how much should be held in reserve for quota purchase (“This compromise will be somewhere between the 3% proposed by the Commission and the 100% the Parliament wants,” Mr Liese said); - find a satisfactory compromise on the date the directive should come into force. While the Commission recommends a two-stage approach (2011 and 2012), the Parliament and Council hope that, in order to avoid competition distortion, the system will apply to all flights at a given date without there having to be an agreement on the date (see EUROPE 9372 for first policy debate at Environment Council in February). The rapporteur believes the Parliament will suggest 2011, or even 2010, but certainly not 2013 as some member states would like. “What I think is important is abolition of the exemption for official government flights. I shall be proposing this abolition”, said Peter Liese. His working paper will be presented to the environment committee in May. After this, there will be a “whole series of hearings to collect the maximum number of expert opinions”. Before the summer break, a draft report will be presented to the parliamentary committee. The result of the vote will guide the plenary session when it gives its stance in November. (an)