What does the EU-ETS mean for aviation?
In 2008 the EU passed legislation to include aviation in the EU-ETS. This means that from 2012, overall CO 2 emissions of the aviation industry are capped: initially at 97% of 2005 emissions levels, and from 2013 onwards at 95%. All operators flying to and from the EU will have to surrender one allowance for every tonne of CO 2 emitted on a flight to and from (and within) Europe. Allocation of free allowances is based on a benchmark relating to transported persons and cargo in the base period 2010. Under current rules, 15% of allowances will be auctioned but this share may increase with the planned revision of the EU-ETS directive. Operators emitting more than their allocated amount of CO 2 will need to reduce emissions or – more likely – procure extra allowances. A special reserve of 3% of the total quantity of allowances will be allocated to new aircraft operators and operators experiencing sharp growth. Given that the aviation sector’s emissions are expected to grow to 130% by 2012
