Aviation
Aviation in Emissions Trading
Not only the industrial and energy-generating sector, but also aviation are major contributors to global emissions, and their share is on the rise. From 2012, aviation will therefore be included in European emissions trading. Commercial as well as non-commercial aircraft operators must submit allowances for each tonne of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by the sector.
As a general principle, all aircraft operators are included in emissions trading if they carry out flights departing from or arriving within the territory of the European Economic Area (including EU Member States, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). From 2010, they have been required to report their emissions to the competent authority (to the German Emissions Authority at the Federal Environment Agency, DEHSt, in Germany).
However, for 2010 and 2011, no certificates had to be submitted. According to EU legislation, the DEHSt is currently the competent authority for 409 German, European and non-European aircraft operators.
Preparatory Steps and First Experiences
As early as 2009, aircraft operators had been obliged to submit what is known as monitoring plans to the German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt). Monitoring plans describe how carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and transport volume (in tonne kilometres) of aircrafts are to be determined and monitored. All aircraft operators were entitled to apply for a free allocation of emission allowances in return for the submission of an emission report by 31/03/2011, and, as a one-off, a tonne-kilometre report for 2010.
Of the operators for whom the DEHSt is the competent authority, three quarters complied with their obligations in time - including all major airlines. This covers approximately 99% of aviation emissions.
Timeline
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Timeline in Aviation
Source: German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at the Federal Environment Agency