COMMISSION WANTS AIR TRAFFIC EMISSIONS TRADING

In September the EU commission published a bulletin on reducing the effect of aviation on the environment, following an extensive investigation. The Commission felt that the best way forward was to include aviation in the EU emissions trading system, but at the same time stressed the importance of developments in aircraft technology and more effective use of air space. The conclusions of the council of environmental ministers in December supported the commission’s stance on emissions trading and the proposed further technical preparations which will form the basis of draft legislation to be proposed at the end of 2006.

In the spring the CAA received comprehensive data from the Eurocontrol organisation on the air traffi c emissions in various countries. The material showed that flights leaving Finland account for about 2 per cent of all emissions from EU internal flights. The CAA ordered a domestic emissions trading study in spring 2005 to help preparations for assessing the effects of emissions reduction measures on Finnish aviation. The study will continue when sufficient information is available on the commission’s forthcoming proposals.

The Civil Aviation Administration’s environmental review for 2005 will be published separately.