IATA pushing for global approach to aviation emissions trading

IATA director aviation environment Paul Steele stated the association sees emissions trading "as a useful tool and we've not backed away from that at all" but reiterated the IATA position is that a global solution is preferred (China Daily/Reuters, 07-Jun-2011). IATA has expressed its concerns that the EU's unilateral inclusion of air transport in the Emissions Trading Scheme is an "illegal extraterritorial" move that could lead to retaliatory measures from the US, Russia and China and a USD1.5 billion "cash grab that would do nothing to reduce emissions". Mr Steele also expressed concerns related to the accountability mechanisms related to the use of "equivalent measures" to allow exemptions from the scheme, and the verification and monitoring of such measures.