Blog 5: Global airlines face $670 m carbon pollution bill in 2012

Carbon emissions from airplanes have gone steadily up in the past few years however this year it is more than ever.Airlines face a carbon pollution bill of $670 million for this year under EU emissions trading scheme. This scheme has triggered anger from foreign governments because the cost is calculated on emissions from the point of origin. China this week banned its airlines form participating without permission.

Some airlines under fire are Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines and Hainan Airlines. These airlines face a bill for 990,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. The cost could be lowered if the the airlines bought newer equipment that reduce emissions, but those in itself cost a lot.
 Under the new rule, around 80 percent of allowances will be given for free to aircraft operators and 15 percent will be allocated by auctioning. The remaining 3 percent will be allocated to a special reserve.Chinese and EU leaders hold a summit in Beijing next week. A group of 26 countries vehemently opposed to the new rule will be meeting up in Moscow to discuss the matter further.

 Airplanes have always been a major factor in air pollution. I think this scheme will make sure certain countries are looking after the environment. Yes, it does cost a lot but it is what they need to do to make sure they are taking care of the earth and what these countries should have been doing in the first place. I don't think this argument to  oppose this scheme will work because of the fact that it has gone on so long and it is destroying and polluting our environment.



http://www.albawaba.com/airlines-face-670m-carbon-pollution-charge-2012-study-412341