Print
XClose
Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
19-December-2011 17:59 IST
Green Credit Scheme
European Union(EU) has decided to include the emissions from the aviation sector in its Emissions Trading System(ETS) with effect from 2012 . Under the scheme, all non-EU flights entering EU territory will be required to buy emission allowances based on their share of GHG emissions. Exemptions will be provided to some airlines if the frequency of flights is lower than prescribed or the country concerned implements equivalent measures for emissions reduction in this sector within its own territory.

India considers the step as a unilateral measure and in violation of the Chicago Convention and the provisions of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The measure is also against the spirit of bilateral air services agreement entered into by India with some of the EU countries. The Government of India has expressed concern to the European Union on this unilateral measure both at multilateral and bilateral level. India took the lead in getting a joint declaration issued with the support of like-minded non EU member states of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) that are opposed to the EU’s decision. The joint declaration was submitted to ICAO council for consideration. ICAO Council has adopted the declaration with minor modifications.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shrimati Jayanthi Natarajan in a written reply to a question by Dr. Mahendrasinh P.Chauhan and Shrimati Darshana Jardosh in Lok Sabha today.

KP