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BRUSSELS - The European Union, defying the United States, plans to require all airlines flying in its territory to monitor their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from 2010 and to join the bloc's emissions trading scheme in 2011.
A draft European Commission proposal showed a cap would be set on pollution permits issued to airlines based on average 2004-2006 aviation emissions.
"From 2011 emissions from the aviation sector will be subject to a cap and aircraft operators will be required to surrender allowances to cover their emissions," the draft said.
The EU's current emissions trading scheme - its key tool to fight global warming and meet targets for cutting pollution under the Kyoto Protocol - puts a limit on the amount of CO2 big polluters such as power plants and oil refineries can emit.
But it excludes international aviation, a major and growing source of pollution as air travel booms.
The commission's proposal would cover emissions from all international flights landing in and departing from the EU as well as all domestic flights.
That drew fire from industry and is likely to anger the Bush Administration, which has opposed EU plans to include aviation.
"We've always been focused on a global solution, so clearly this is Europe going off in its own direction," Anthony Concil, spokesman for airlines group IATA, said.
- REUTERS
