On September 4, the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), met in Montreal to discuss ICAO’s policies regarding climate change. The Council is comprised of 36 ICAO member states. The Council adopted a text, which will now be considered by the ICAO Assembly of all members between September 24 – October 5.
Read more: Aviation and EU ETS - Positive Developments under ICAO
On Tuesday late afternoon the negotiators of the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers concluded on an agreement to the Stop-the-clockproposal of the European Commission. This means that the proposal can enter into force with the necessary amendments before 30th April. Already back in 2008 the European Union agreed to include aviation in the EU-ETS. The decision was unanimous in Council and with a big a majority of more than 90 percent in the European Parliament. There is a huge opposition against the legislation from third countries, but the European Union reaffirms again in this agreement that the legislation is there to stay.
Read more: Aviation Emissions: Parliament achieves significant improvement of Commission proposal
Contradiction between Obama's speech and administration's position on aviation / Clock will start again if there is no improvement
"We have been very impressed about the new dynamic in the US climate policy after Obama's speech but we were disappointed about the administration's position on aviation", stated the rapporteur for the inclusion of aviation in the Emission trading system (ETS) Peter Liese (European Christian Democrats) after a visit of a delegation of the European Parliament's environmental committee to Washington.
The European Parliament's Environment Committee voted with a huge majority for the Stop the Clock Proposal of the European Commission concerning Emissions Trading for Aviation. The vote has been prepared in cooperation with the Parliament's Transport Committee so that it reflects a broad majority of all concerned committees.