Press Release: Emissions trading: Commission welcomes EP vote on including aviation in EU ETS

The European Commission welcomed the European Parliament's second reading vote in favour of including aviation in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The vote confirmed the agreement reached between the Parliament and the Council last month. Under the new directive greenhouse gas emissions from flights to, from and within the EU will be included in the EU ETS from 2012. All airlines will be covered whatever their nationality. Like the industrial companies already covered by the EU ETS, airlines will be able to sell surplus allowances if they reduce their emissions and will need to buy additional allowances if their emissions grow.