European Parliament ready to compromise / Simply continuing the Stop the Clock cannot be the solution

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented its proposal for a change in the Directive for the inclusion of aviation in the European Emission Trading Scheme. The reason for this change is that, two weeks ago, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) agreed to establish a global market-based system for the reduction of international aviation emissions until 2020.

The Commission proposes an airspace approach. "This approach is better than the current Stop the Clock because not only inter-European flights are included, but also flights to non-European countries, even if only for the part of the trip that takes place in European airspace. However, this is a very important point. A flight from Frankfurt or London to the new hub in Istanbul would be almost completely included. Under Stop the Clock, it is not included at all. The same is true for flights to the hubs in the Emirates, which are not included under Stop the Clock. Under the new regulation, at least half the trip would be included," explained Peter Liese (EPP-Christian Democrats), rapporteur for the European Parliament for the inclusion of aviation in the European emission trading system.


"The European Parliament will thoroughly examine the proposal and amend our regulation if need be. We have always said that the European Union is ready to negotiate. In my estimation, the European Parliament will not agree that, until 2020, we only include inter-European flights in the emission trading and even those flights not entirely, even if some member states should propose to do that. The inclusion of all flights taking off and landing in Europe for the part that they travel in European airspace is indispensable. This is a matter of fairness against European airlines and their competitive situation and the environment. If the European Parliament does not agree with the Council on a new legislative text by April, legislation as originally planned will come into force for intercontinental flights taking off and landing in Europe. This pressure medium remains", concluded Liese.