Regulations and Government
ICAO Seeks Global Emissions Pact as Europe Dilutes ETS
A resolution under debate this week at ICAO’s general assembly could result in a new global market-based mechanism to control carbon-dioxide emissions from aircraft engines that would take effect in 2020. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)
A resolution under debate this week at ICAO’s general assembly could result in a new global market-based mechanism to control carbon-dioxide emissions from aircraft engines that would take effect in 2020. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)

The general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) this week will debate proposals for a global market-based mechanism (MBM) to control the increase in carbon-dioxide emissions from air transport. As an interim measure aimed at reaching consensus, negotiators for the 28-state European Union (EU) have offered to alter its existing emissions trading scheme (ETS) so that it would apply only to flying activity within EU airspace and not to all stages of intercontinental flights.