Chinese airlines have joined US rivals in opposing their inclusion in the European Union's carbon emissions market from 2012, while some European airlines have supported including all airlines in the scheme. From January 1 next year, the EU will require all airlines flying to Europe to be included in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a system that forces polluters to buy permits for each tonne of carbon dioxide they emit above a certain cap.
The China Air Transport Association (CATA) said on Sunday it opposed the inclusion of their flights into Europe in the ETS, the EU's main tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An EU source said Chinese government officials had raised the same objections during a meeting with the European Commission on Friday, raising the dispute to a new level. Most flights that land and depart from EU airports will be covered, regardless of the operator's nationality.