Regulations and Government
ICAO Seeks ETS Compromise as PwC Calls For More Action
A new ICAO group has started talks aimed at establishing a global alternative to Europe’s emissions trading scheme. (Photo: Fotolia)
A new ICAO group has started talks aimed at establishing a global alternative to Europe’s emissions trading scheme. (Photo: Fotolia)

The “high level group” formed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to develop a global agreement on reducing carbon emissions from the air transport industry convened for the first time on December 12. The group aims to draft a plan for adoption at the next ICAO Council, scheduled for September and October 2013. Last month, the European Union agreed to suspend the application of its controversial emissions trading scheme (ETS) to international flights in and out of European airports to allow time for application of an alternative global scheme. The new ICAO group consists of officials from 17 nations, including all the major opponents of ETS, namely the U.S., Russia and China.