The European Union reached agreement on Wednesday on a law to increase the price airlines must pay when they emit carbon dioxide (CO2), in a bid to encourage the airline industry to move away from fossil fuels.
Airlines operating in Europe currently have to obtain permits in the European carbon market to cover their CO2 emissions, but the EU
it grants most of these permissions for free.
Legislation passed by EU member states and the European Parliament is expected to change that by phasing out such free permits by 2026, sources familiar with the talks told Reuters.
Premium for SAF, non-fossil fuels
Airlines will then have to pay their CO2 emission allowances, which will encourage them to pollute less. A much smaller number of free CO2 allowances will be made available to airlines using sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to partially offset the price difference between these fuels and kerosene, a much cheaper fossil fuel, the sources said.
Until now, the EU has limited its carbon market to cover emissions from intra-bloc flights, but negotiators agreed that Brussels will assess in 2026 whether the Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) scheme, which aims to offset the CO2 emissions from international flights, is underway. path to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
Climate advocates have lamented that emissions from international flights are not being added to the carbon market.
“The average European family will continue to pay much more for their CO2 emissions than frequent long-haul travelers. We are about to lose another decade of climate inaction,” said Jo Dardenne, director of aviation at the nonprofit group Transport and Environment. .
EU countries and the European Parliament must formally approve the law before it enters into force.
Source: BFM TV
