Russia threatens to cap EU flights over Siberia in protest at ETS

Russia has threatened to cap EU airline flights over Siberia as part of possible retaliatory measures approved by more than 20 countries at a recent  meeting in Moscow.  Valery Okulov, Russia’s deputy transport minister, said each country could choose whatever measure it wanted, in line with its own laws, to try to stop the EU including airlines in its ETS.  He said Russia would look at limiting EU airlines’ use of routes over Siberia, and give preference instead to carriers from Japan, China and other Asian nations. “We are calling on the European Union to do whatever it takes to prevent a trade war,” he said. “We intend to get EU’s carbon trading measures either cancelled or postponed.” 

 

28 February 2012

Russia threatens to cap EU flights

29.2.2012  (TravelMole)

But the alliance of opponents, which includes the US, China and Japan, backed away from some of the more extreme steps they had been discussing ahead of a two-day meeting in Moscow that ended on Wednesday, such as reopening existing EU trade deals to pressure European industries.

The Moscow meeting also revealed the make-up of the countries fighting Brussels has changed since their efforts kicked off in India in September.

The US, China, Brazil, India, Japan and Russia have stayed steady opponents since then. But several others involved in earlier protests did not sign the Moscow declaration, including Canada, Egypt and Qatar.

And the number of Moscow signatories would have been smaller but for the presence of newer opponents, such as the former Soviet states of Armenia and Belarus.

And although officials from 23 countries signed a declaration listing eight measures they might adopt, they said they would only “consider” such actions.

The alliance of opponents aims to stop the bloc’s imposition of charges on carriers for their carbon pollution.

The retaliatory steps include imposing new taxes on EU airlines, and suspending talks about giving European carriers more flying rights outside the bloc.

But the alliance of opponents, which includes the US, China and Japan, backed away from some of the more extreme steps they had been discussing ahead of a two-day meeting in Moscow that ended last Wednesday, such as reopening existing EU trade deals to pressure European industries.

And although officials from 23 countries signed a declaration listing eight measures they might adopt, they said they would only “consider” such actions.

Connie Hedegaard, the EU climate commissioner, has repeatedly insisted Brussels will not back down to opponents of its boldest move yet to force the rest of the world to comply with its ambitious climate rules.

Writing on Twitter on Wednesday, she said: “Wonder if the next meeting hosted by Saudi Arabia will give a climate-friendly answer to the key question: what’s your concrete alternative?

Environmental campaigners said the Moscow meeting’s failure to agree on co-ordinated measures suggested the opponents’ efforts were fizzling out.

The outcome of the meeting showed “cooler heads may have prevailed and, if so, they are to be commended”, said Annie Petsonk of the US Environmental Defense Fund.

The officials gathered in Moscow agreed to meet again in Saudi Arabia in the summer.

See also Europe’s Sensible Plan tweeted by Connie Hedegaard http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/opinion/airlines-emissions-and-europes-sensible-plan.html?_r=2

Valere Tjolle

http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?m_id=s~T_Y!vnm&w_id=7622&news_id=2000525

 


 

More news on the EU ETS at  EU Emissions Trading Scheme

 

and earlier news:

 

EU bullish as opponents confirm aviation trade war threats

February 24, 2012     23 of the countries meeting in Moscow to oppose the ETS signed a joint agreement that sets out 8 “counter measures” that signatories could take to try to force the EU to ditch ETS plans. [6 of the signatories, Cameroon, Chile, Cuba, Guatemala, Paraguay, Uganda, have no carriers covered by the EU ETS]. The 23 countries would “consider” measures and actions if the EU failed to respond. Canada, Egypt and the UAE abstained from the final agreement. An earlier draft suggestion on re-opening existing wider trade agreements was dropped from the final text. EU data shows the ETS will have a negligible impact on ticket prices, adding €1.34 to the cost of a flight from London to New York or €0.76 to the cost of a flight from London to Moscow. Despite threats of trade wars and retaliation, the EU remains adamant it will not change or postpone its legislation.    Click here to view full story…

 

India, Russia oppose EU carbon tax

February 23, 2012    A meeting of 30 countries opposed to the ETS has taken place in Moscow. 29 of them, but not India, agreed a declaration listing 8 retaliatory steps against the EU unless it excludes their airlines from charges when flying to or from Europe. These measures include legal action, suspending talks with European carriers on new routes, reviewing bilateral service and open skies agreements with European countries and imposing retaliatory levies on EU airlines. They can choose whichever they want. Connie Hedegaard says Brussels would not suspend the ETS for aviation. The next meeting of the countries opposed to the ETS would be held in summer in Saudi Arabia. EU officials have said they may be willing to “moderate” their stance on ETS, if a deal for an equivalent global system can be reached through ICAO. Airlines do not need to buy their carbon permits until April 2013.     Click here to view full story…