U.S. and Chinese airlines are determined to fight off Europe’s attempts to force their joining in the fight against global warming.

 

On January 1, the European Union plans to begin charging airline companies for their greenhouse gas emissions. American companies claim the proposal will cost them more than $3 billion a year in penalties, resulting in higher ticket prices for passengers. The European Commission estimates that the law will add 2 to 12 Euros per ticket.

 

The Court of Justice of the European Union gave final approval to the plan on Wednesday.

 

The issue may result in a trade war between Europe on one side and the U.S. and China on the other. China has threatened to cancel its purchase of new jets from European manufacturer Airbus if its airlines are forced to pay the emissions fees. At the same time, four Chinese airlines are planning to sue in a German court to halt their participation in the carbon market trading scheme.

-Noel Brinkerhoff

 

Court Upholds Europe's Plan to Charge Airlines for Carbon Emissions (by Nicola Clark, New York Times)

EU Set to Charge International Airlines for Carbon Emissions (by Fiona Harvey, The Guardian)