The EP Environment Committee voted on Tuesday 27th May 2008, to reintroduce most of the Parliament's first-reading amendments (previously rejected by the Council) to a proposal to include airline traffic in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The two institutions have been battling  to have thier proposals put forward this week.

Members argued that inclusion should begin as soon as 2011, that the share of emission permits to be auctioned should be increased and that that the ceiling on emissions should be lowered. Whereas the Council sought to include aviation in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as of 2012, Committee members voted for a single starting date for all flights within, leaving or landing in EU territory: 2011 (the Commission had proposed a one-year grace period for intercontinental flights).

ETS revenue

The two institutions also disagree on the distribution of revenue from emissions allowances. The Council sees earmarking revenue for specific uses as an infringement of the subsidiarity principle, and instead seeks only to make recommendations. The Committee, by contrast, wants the funds channelled to, inter alia:

1. Research to improve efficiency in the aviation sector.
2. Climate-friendly transport, such as trains and buses.
3. Assistance to developing countries, to help them adapt to climate change and reduce emissions.

The Committee also endorsed exemptions from the proposal for:

1. Light airplanes with a take-off weight under 5.7 tonnes.
2. Flights for humanitarian purposes under a UN mandate.
3. Fire-fighting and other emergency flights.
4. Police, customs and military flights.

An agreement is hoped to be reach within the next few weeks.