What's crazy about it? It is about time. EU countries tax their train systems that pollute less than 1/10th what the airlines do for the same journey for energy usage, it is about time airlines do their fair share In a message dated 7/4/2006 11:19:57 AM Pacific Standard Time, lafrance@xxxxxxxxxxx writes: > UPDATE 1-EU Parliament wants aviation tax, emissions trade > Tue Jul 4, 2006 11:15am ET > > Email This Article | Print This Article | Reprints > [-] Text [+] (Adds comment from industry) > By Jeff Mason > STRASBOURG, France, July 4 (Reuters) - Airlines should pay a tax for jet > fuel and join the European Union's emissions trading scheme to cut back on the > rising amounts of greenhouse gases they produce, the European Parliament said > on Tuesday. > International aviation is not covered by the Kyoto Protocol on climate > change but its emissions are projected to grow in the coming years, causing > concern among environmentalists, especially as the low-cost airline sector booms in > Europe. > The European Parliament gave its backing to proposals by the executive > European Commission to include airlines in the emissions trading scheme, where > industries trade rights to emit carbon dioxide (CO2), the main gas blamed for > global warming. > But the parliament suggested setting up a separate trading system for > airlines on a trial basis first, to prevent carriers from buying up rights from > power companies instead of tackling their own pollution problem. > "A separate, closed system for aviation is crucial at the very least as a > pilot scheme," said Caroline Lucas, the Greens parliament member who sponsored > the resolution. > The resolution said that if aviation eventually joined the full EU scheme, > steps should be taken to ensure it did not distort trade among other sectors, > for example by limiting the number of permits airlines are allowed to buy on > the market. > The parliament vote is non-binding and does not involve an actual piece of > legislation. But it is considered a signal of support by EU lawmakers for > future laws on airlines and the environment. A large majority in the parliament > voted in favour. Continued...