China bars airlines from paying EU carbon emission charge

Sydney Sun (IANS) Monday 6th February, 2012

China's airlines are not allowed to pay a charge on carbon emissions imposed by the European Union (EU) nor are they allowed to hike freight or add other fees without government permission, authorities said Monday.

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) said in a statement that it had been authorized by the State Council, China's Cabinet to notify the ban to all domestic airlines, reported Xinhua.

The statement said the EU's decision to charge flights into and out of EU airports for carbon emission "runs contrary to relevant principles of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the international civil aviation regulations".

The EU's Emissions Trading Scheme, which took effect Jan 1, is one of the widest-reaching measures adopted by any country or regional bloc to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for climate change. It is estimated that around 4,000 airlines will pay the EU for their carbon emissions.

"China objects to the EU's decision to impose the scheme on non-EU airlines, and has expressed its concerns over the scheme through various channels," the statement said.

"China will consider adopting necessary measures to protect interests of Chinese individuals and companies, pending the development of the issue," the statement said.

It added that China hopes the EU can find proper solutions to the issue with considerations of the overall bilateral relations, the two sides' combined efforts to combat climate change as well as the sustainable development of the international airline industry.