EURO MPs have backed tough proposals to tackle aircraft emissions despite the opposition of airlines that fear demand will be hit.
They voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday for Europe’s airlines to be placed in a separate carbon dioxide emissions trading scheme, rather than join the existing system that operates across industries.
And they backed the introduction of an airline emissions charge on fares related to the non-carbon dioxide gases produced by flights.
The MEPs also voted for the European Commission to work towards introducing a tax on aviation fuel, although this is already EC policy.
Airlines are divided on how to respond. All oppose any kind of tax, but British Airways has backed a European emissions-trading market, despite the opposition of the International Air Transport Association which insists any scheme should be global.
BA chief executive Willie Walsh said: “It’s crucial aviation takes action on emissions.” He called on the EC to take airlines into the existing scheme.
This works by companies being granted annual carbon dioxide allowances that they can trade.
Critics say it simply allows polluting companies to buy allowances from those in sectors that would have cut pollution anyway – meaning there will be no real reduction.
BMI chairman Sir Michael Bishop queried whether airlines should be compelled to take action at all. “Why should we put extra costs on our airline?” he said. “No politician is going to stop passengers travelling.”
Green Party Euro MP Caroline Lucas, who drafted the proposals, said: “The growth in flying threatens to throw all efforts to reduce emissions off course.”
A spokesman for Lucas distanced the MEP from reports that the proposals might add £40 to a return flight in Europe.
The EC is expected to publish draft legislation in the autumn. It can ignore the MEPs’ vote, but at the risk of a major row. The majority of UK MEPs backed the proposals.
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