EU lists over 4,000 airlines who need to clean up their act.

By Sophie Tanner - 31 August 2009

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A new EU law will soon ban over 4,000 airlines from European airports unless they pledge to limit their carbon emissions – this law will come into force from January 2012. The new EU target requires that airline emissions in Europe drop by three percent by 2012 and five percent by 2013. Aircraft emissions currently make up three percent of Europe’s CO2 output.

The European Union recently released a list of nearly 4,000 airlines that they expect to reduce their impact on the environment. The list includes Lufthansa, Alitalia, Quantas, KLM, Emirates, US Airways and United, as well as European airplane manufacturers, private business jet operators and the military services.

Airlines need to start monitoring their emissions from early next year if they are to comply with this law, else they will face penalties that limit their business.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) member countries mostly oppose this law, as do the companies under the International Transport Association (IATA). They argue that the list shouldn’t include non-European companies which fly into Europe.

The EU’s new policy also plans to introduce an emissions trading scheme where companies that don’t meet targets can buy permits from the European market or invest in clean development systems.

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