A European envoy held out a possible compromise in a fight with China over carbon emissions charges on airlines, saying Wednesday, May 23 that Europe might alter its system if Beijing helps negotiate global regulations, the Associated Press reported.
China, India, the United States and Russia oppose the European Union charges that took effect January 1. Beijing has barred its carriers from cooperating and has suspended purchases of European aircraft.
Talks on a global system have begun in the International Civil Aviation Organization, a UN body, said Matthew Baldwin, director of aviation for the 27-nation EU. He said Europe might alter its Emissions Trading System if an agreement is reached.
"We would very much like to see a stronger role played by China in those talks," Baldwin told reporters at a European-Chinese aviation conference. "In the event of a global solution in ICAO, the EU is fully ready to review and amend the ETS directive to take account of that global solution."
Baldwin said he would press that appeal during talks with Chinese economic planners and airline regulators this week.
Baldwin said the ICAO talks are looking at four possible "market mechanisms" to regulate carbon emissions but gave no details.
The dispute highlights the complex status of countries such as China and India that are large emissions sources but as developing economies are exempt from mandatory limits.
China, the biggest source of greenhouse gases, has promised to curb emissions but has rejected binding commitments. The communist government warned in February it would take steps to protect its carriers.
In March, European aircraft manufacturer Airbus Industrie said Beijing was blocking orders by China's state-owned carriers for jets with a total list price of $12 billion in a challenge to the carbon charges.
Airbus said it also is seeing "retaliation threats" from 25 other countries.
Under the European system, airlines flying to or from Europe must obtain certificates for carbon dioxide emissions. They will get free credits to cover most flights this year but must buy or trade for credits to cover the rest.
It is unclear how far Europe might be willing to go to compromise with Beijing.
