Plans to Include Air Travel in Emissions Trading Scheme

An advisor to the EU Court has said that plans to include any airline landing or take off on EU territory in an emissions trading scheme are legal. Juliane Kokott, Advocate General made the statement in response to a challenge from North American airlines initially made at a London court and then referred to the European Court of Justice. Whilst an official ruling will not be made until next year, the Advocate General’s opinion will be followed in most cases until then. Aviation is estimated to account for 3% of total carbon dioxide emissions and yet airlines do not pay any tax on fuel.