The current debate over the expansion of the EU’s Emissions Trading System from air-line traffic to other areas may have implications for a future agenda that could indirectly impact fisheries.
Launched in 2005, the EU’s Emissions Trading System is the world’s largest emissions trading programme. Until recently, it has covered only large polluters such as power stations located in the EU. Now in the second phase of implementation, the EU is hoping to expand the system significantly, most notably by including aviation emissions by January of 2012. These new rules would require airlines with flights that land in or take off from European airports to purchase carbon permits from European governments. This essentially would force foreign airlines, which spend the majority of time outside of the EU, to participate. Air transport emissions are estimated to represent about 2-3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and advocates of this expansion say the new rules will help airlines adopt greener technologies.
