AIR TRANSPORT : AVIATION INDUSTRY WILL HAVE TO CUT CO2 EMISSIONS.

The EU's environment ministers have agreed to oblige the aviation sector to cut its CO2 emissions by 10% by 2020, compared with the base year of 2005 (see Europolitics 3844). Conclusions to this effect were adopted at the Environment Council, on 21 October, and will be presented to the European Council, on 29-30 October, with a view to the Copenhagen climate negotiations.

Is this goal ambitious and feasible? Environmental NGOs, which are pushing for the adoption of binding targets for the aviation sector in Copenhagen, recognise that this is an advance, since aviation is not covered by the Kyoto Protocol. Yet they are not enthusiastic about the 10% figure. As summed up by the WWF: "The targets being set are too low, but the principle is important". Greenpeace and T&E (Transport & Environment) welcome the definition of a target figure but note that under the Council's agreement the sector will be authorised to increase its emissions by around one third compared with 1990, whereas other sectors will have to make 30% cuts during the same period.

The sector obviously takes a...