China joins US, Russia in opposing European carbon trading scheme

CHINA's aviation industry has decided to follow US air industry's doing to take legal action again Europe's introduction to an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) next year.


Besides the US and China, Russia also said it is concerned about the implementation of ETS that requires all airlines flying over EU airspace to buy permits for the carbon dioxide they produce.


"The air transport industry has been critical of the ETS claiming it could spark a trade war," said London's International Freighting Weekly (IFW).


Commenting on the ETS system, deputy secretary-general of the China Air Transport Association (CATA) Chai Haibo told China Daily: "China will not join the EU's carbon trading scheme, despite the consequences, and the CATA will fully support legal action against the EU's plan," Mr Chai said.


Believing the ETS system does not comply with the international law, Mr Chai said CATA and Air China will take legal action together against the ETS in Germany, following what the US airlines will do.


Said US Air Transport Association CEO Nicholas Calio: "The legal case is important as a means of addressing what is wrong with the European scheme, but also as an opportunity for us to continue to pursue an approach that is appropriate for this global industry."


Upholding the opposition from China and the US, the Association of European Airlines (AEA) has also warned that the ETS will impair the competitiveness of European airlines, and provoke a conflict between EU and other regions and countries.


IATA chief executive Giovanni Bisignani said it was a cash grab. "The EU ETS is a US$1.5 billion cash grab that will do nothing to reduce emissions. Enough, of Europe's short-sighted actions."
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)