The European Parliament today approved a Green Party resolution calling for the EU to take a clear and determined position on imposing tax on aviation fuel at an international conference for civil aviation at the end of September.
The United States plans to introduce a resolution at the conference that would hinder the worldwide taxation of aircraft fuels (kerosene). The European Commission, who will be representing the EU in the talks, have so far kept their negotiating position secret.
Tony Blair admitted this week that aviation, the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, would be responsible for a quarter of all UK emissions by 2030. The industry currently enjoys tax breaks and other hiden subsidies worth some £9 billion a year.
MEPs approved the Greens/EFA resolution in Strasbourg by a large majority (307 yes / 20 no / 206 abstentions).
London Green Party MEP Jean Lambert said: "We want to make sure that the EU will continue to be able to decide its policies for itself. The European Parliament, the Commission and the Council need to decide what is the best way to protect the future of this continent. The Commission therefore must rebuff US attempts to put a leash on the EU's environmental policy."
"The EU has always treated climate protection as a high priority. That is why we signed the Kyoto Protocol. We must now do all that we can to achieve this ambitious goal. In this context, it is impossible to view civil aviation – which constitutes a massive threat to the climate and climate protection efforts – outside of these measures."
ENDS
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