EXCLUSIVE! EU-ETS Dangers of unilateralism

Neelam Mathews

Sept 13, 2011

At the 8^th Ministerial meeting in Inhotim, Brazil, South Africa, India and China (BASIC) issued a joint statement on climate change on August 27, 2011.   While India, Brazil, and South Africa are the leading members of BASIC, Argentina as chair of G77 and China are permanent invitees.

The Ministers expressed their concern with unilateral climate change measures, planned or implemented, which generate negative impacts on other countries. They expressed their strong concern with the decision of the European Union to include the aviation sector in the EU Emission Trading System, including flights to and from its territory by non-European companies.

Starting next January, passengers on Asian airlines will likely have to pay an average of US$8 more for European routes due to taxes imposed to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has invited non-EU countries on Sept 28-29 to discuss EU’s Emission Trading Scheme  that will impose a mandatory tax on all airlines flying over or to EU countries,

According to DGCA, Dr Nasim Zaidi, 28 countries are being invited.