Revealed: Unpublished EU analysis is scathing of airline CO2 deal
(Transport and Environment, 18 Mar 2021) A global agreement designed to tackle airline emissions could actually undermine Europe’s climate efforts, according to an EU study obtained by Transport & Environment (T&E).
The Corsia deal, under which airlines can pay to offset growth of carbon pollution, is “unlikely to materially alter” the climate impact of air travel, it finds. T&E said the EU cannot rely on the ineffective UN offsetting scheme and should re-integrate into its carbon market (ETS) the emissions from flights entering and exiting Europe.
The EU ETS currently includes all flights within the European Economic Area but not flights in and out of the region. In June, the EU Commission, which has delayed publishing the analysis, will say how it thinks the UN agreement should apply to European flights.
The EU study finds:
- Regulating EU airline pollution with Corsia alone is the worst option. “This option is associated with the biggest global net aviation CO2 emissions increase…” (p26)
- Corsia “risks undermining the ability to reach net-zero emissions by mid-century” if it replaces existing EU climate regulations. (p17)
- It’s questionable whether the carbon offsets actually deliver emissions reductions. “None” of the approved offsetting programmes meet all the required criteria. (p18)
- At less than €1, carbon offsets will be too cheap to deter airlines from growing their emissions.[2] (p20). There is currently an excess supply of carbon offsets due to a weakening of the Corsia rules following industry lobbying last year, with three times as much supply than demand.
- There is little chance of these issues being resolved. For example, the quality of offsets will not improve: “...the scope for delivering high quality credited emission reductions will decline.” (p48)
External link
More Related News
The Corsia deal
Airline emissions
22 Apr 2024: Some UK airlines polluting more than ever as emissions approach pre-pandemic levels
12 Apr 2024: UK startup lifts lid on plan to turn human waste into jet fuel
5 Mar 2024: Will national teams become champions for sustainable travel during Euro 2024?
9 Feb 2024: The world is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels – except for in three key sectors
2 Feb 2024: Weatherwatch: study makes green case for electric planes
2 Feb 2024: Hanoi flights halted as city faces worsening air pollution
19 Dec 2023: Greenwashing cases against airlines in Europe, US
19 Dec 2023: Europe wins big on green fuels for planes and ships
19 Dec 2023: Half of global companies have cut their business flights in two since Covid
15 Dec 2023: Flying hurts the planet but it’s vital for island tourism. Is there a greener way?
27 Nov 2023: Frequent flyers are rewarded for polluting. Let them pay the full price
24 Nov 2023: UN-led talks weigh goal to reduce aviation emissions thorough less-polluting fuels
17 Oct 2023: Refusing to fly has lost me my job as a climate researcher. It’s a price worth paying
10 Oct 2023: Why airlines are perfect targets for anti-greenwashing legal action
21 Sep 2023: France to seek minimum price for flights in Europe
15 Sep 2023: Every hour European governments lose out on €4 million in aviation taxes
31 Aug 2023: France calls for minimum price on European flights
20 Jul 2023: Flying in Europe up to 30 times cheaper than train, says Greenpeace
18 Jul 2023: Every hour European governments lose out on €4 million in aviation taxes
6 Jun 2023: Global airlines target ‘anti-aviation’ Europe over green policies
2 Jun 2023: Commission rules out new private jet measures despite member state push
22 May 2023: Running a hydrogen plane could be cheaper than traditional aircraft by 2035
18 Apr 2023: UK’s low-carbon aviation fuels strategy coming in late 2023, Ministers confirm
6 Apr 2023: Will the aviation sector replicate Big Oil’s playbook?
30 Mar 2023: UK is Europe’s worst private jet polluter, study finds
17 Mar 2023: 85% of global companies don’t have credible plans to reduce corporate flying emissions
7 Mar 2023: Policy support needed to boost sustainable aviation fuels in China
28 Feb 2023: The easy fix to air pollution linked to planes
28 Feb 2023: Scientists pour cold water on UK aviation’s net zero ambitions
16 Feb 2023: UK airlines: not paying for pollution
20 Jan 2023: Airlines to invoke EU freedoms to challenge green restrictions on short-haul flights
10 Oct 2022: International air travel set for ‘aspirational’ 2050 net zero goal
7 Oct 2022: UN aviation body pushes back on transparency, influence concerns on sustainability talks
29 Sep 2022: Revealed: 5,000 empty ‘ghost flights’ in UK since 2019, data shows
27 Sep 2022: Calculating your vacation’s carbon footprint, one travel mode at a time
26 Sep 2022: Easyjet to stop offsetting CO2 emissions from December
23 Sep 2022: Activists subvert poster sites to shame aviation and ad industries
26 Aug 2022: Google accused of airbrushing carbon emissions in flight search results
22 Jul 2022: A 17-minute flight? The super-rich who have ‘absolute disregard for the planet'
8 Jul 2022: EU lawmakers stop controversial biofuels from fuelling planes
28 Jun 2022: MEPs vote to broaden the definition of ‘sustainable aviation fuels’
27 Jun 2022: Dutch government issues world-first cap on flights from European hub
14 Jun 2022: Dutch group targets hydrogen-fuelled commercial flight in 2028
10 Jun 2022: Analysis of green jet fuel production in Europe
16 May 2022: Johnson’s ‘jet zero’ plan unrealistic and may make UK miss CO2 targets – report
10 May 2022: Just one of 50 aviation industry climate targets met, study finds
10 May 2022: Too few businesses pledge to reduce business flying, new corporate ranking finds
29 Apr 2022: Is it possible to fly to New York without emitting CO2?
29 Apr 2022: Climate impact of flying could be two thirds higher than thought
8 Apr 2022: How much does air travel warm the planet? New report gives a figure
1 Apr 2022: Non-CO2 effects of aviation: Time to finally address aviation’s full climate impact
8 Mar 2022: The Guardian view on ghost flights: a symptom, not the disease
8 Mar 2022: Why “flying less” offers the best path to sustainable aviation
6 Dec 2021: US spending on airport expansion flies under the radar for climate activists
3 Dec 2021: British Airways looks to recycled cooking oil fuel to cut jet emissions
25 Oct 2021: Could flying electric ‘air taxis’ help fix urban transportation?
4 Oct 2021: Greening measures will add around 8% to airline costs, EU estimates
6 Sep 2021: Climate impact of a transatlantic flight could cost global economy $3,000
5 Jul 2021: LEAK: EU to propose aviation fuel tax in green policy push
21 May 2021: Expansion of English airports could threaten climate commitments – report
6 May 2021: Airlines must reduce emissions instead of offsetting, say experts
29 Apr 2021: Aviation bosses embrace sustainable aviation fuels as path to green flying
26 Apr 2021: Fuelling a European recovery: Time to end aviation fuel tax exemption
12 Apr 2021: European business travellers say set to fly less after COVID-19
25 Mar 2021: Solo car journeys more harmful to the environment than flying: report
19 Mar 2021: Global airline emissions plan falls short of EU goals, Brussels advised
26 Feb 2021: EU announces fresh funding for ‘disruptive’ research into clean aircraft
22 Feb 2021: EU plans eco ranking for planes and flights - Welt am Sonntag
15 Feb 2021: Europe’s aviation sector launches ambitious plan to reach net zero by 2050
11 Feb 2021: France scraps Paris airport expansion over climate concerns
4 Feb 2021: Recovering atmospheric carbon can make new fuel
14 Jan 2021: Airlines join NGO calls for tougher EU biofuel regulations
17 Dec 2020: Top UK court overturns block on Heathrow's third runway
4 Dec 2020: 1% ‘super emitters’ responsible for over 50% of aviation emissions
26 Nov 2020: Climate-busting plane pollution revealed by new EU study
12 Nov 2020: People plan to drive more post-Covid, climate poll shows
12 Oct 2020: UK Supreme Court hears climate case on Heathrow airport expansion
29 Sep 2020: Calculating the true climate impact of aviation emissions
28 Sep 2020: Supply chains generate massive carbon emissions
21 Sep 2020: Airbus reveals ‘zero-emission’ plane plan
3 Jul 2020: Airlines’ climate obligations postponed as UN body endorses industry proposal
25 Jun 2020: Largest electric plane in Europe takes to the skies over the UK
25 Jun 2020: Shipping, aviation 2030 climate goals too weak, research finds
22 Jun 2020: Taxing jet-fuel still on the radar, despite aviation’s virus woes
11 Jun 2020: Carbon-neutral aircraft might work with ion drive
11 Jun 2020: Swiss parliament backs carbon surcharge on plane tickets
11 Jun 2020: ‘Final blow’ to aviation climate plan as EU agrees to weaken rules
2 Jun 2020: Green bailouts: relying on carbon offsetting will let polluting airlines off the hook
1 Jun 2020: EU urged not to mess with UN aviation rules
14 May 2020: UN aviation scheme to supplement, not replace EU carbon trading
7 May 2020: Economy bigwigs rank airline bailouts last on virus recovery wishlist
4 May 2020: Air France coronavirus bailout package to demand steep emissions cuts
20 Apr 2020: Austrian Airlines bailout to be linked to climate targets
7 Apr 2020: Airlines urge UN body to ease climate goals for 2020s as traffic collapses
2 Apr 2020: Big airline polluters grew emissions in 2019 ahead of expected COVID drop
26 Mar 2020: Coronavirus redraws battle lines on airline emissions
17 Mar 2020: Coronavirus may toughen airlines’ goals for curbing emissions in 2020s
13 Mar 2020: Ban short-haul flights for climate? In EU poll 62% say yes
6 Mar 2020: UN aviation agency weighs restrictions on carbon credits under fire by climate activists
6 Mar 2020: Delay aviation tax because of coronavirus, says airline boss
6 Mar 2020: Delay aviation tax because of coronavirus, says airline boss
28 Feb 2020: The death of Heathrow’s third runway sends a clear message ahead of Cop26
28 Feb 2020: Heathrow airport expansion is unlawful, says UK court
20 Feb 2020: The French MEP bashing football clubs over their flying habit
7 Feb 2020: ‘Flight shame’? Europeans have never flown as frequently
5 Feb 2020: Ryanair accused of greenwash over carbon emissions claim
31 Jan 2020: Global airline group to launch carbon exchange platform to address climate change
13 Jan 2020: Sweden's air travel drops in year when 'flight shaming' took off
EU emissions trading system ETS
23 Apr 2024: EU ETS2 for Buildings, Road Transport in 2027: why we need auctions to start early
18 Apr 2024: Carbon price fall deprives Europe's green funds of billions
9 Apr 2024: Carbon pricing crucial to deliver on greening transport, Volvo boss says
4 Apr 2024: Europe’s industry and power sector emissions plunge 15% in 2023
21 Mar 2024: Britain seeks views on 2027 carbon border tax
18 Mar 2024: How can biomass fulfil its potential in EU carbon markets?
15 Mar 2024: EU Carbon Prices are too low. But they should (and must) rise again
4 Mar 2024: Europe’s industrial decarbonisation at risk amid sharp drop in CO2 price
15 Feb 2024: Germany deletes EU CO2 allowances freed up by coal exit
19 Jan 2024: What to make of Europe’s upcoming carbon management strategy
22 Dec 2023: Broken promises: the case for regulation
30 Nov 2023: German climate policy insufficient, court rules
17 Nov 2023: EU governments to auction 244 mln carbon permits from Jan-Aug 2024 - Commision
23 Oct 2023: Germany must anticipate fuel price jump from 2027 EU emissions trading – think tank
5 Oct 2023: EU carbon price to hit €400 mark with 90% climate goal: analysts
25 Sep 2023: EU policy ‘superior’ to US Inflation Reduction Act, say European economists
29 Aug 2023: Why a European Central Carbon Bank would help stabilise EU climate policy
22 Aug 2023: New EU carbon tariff: German industry slams bureaucratic burden
13 Jun 2023: Poland to take 2035 fossil fuel car ban to top EU court, minister says
2 May 2023: Europe needs to urgently prepare for carbon market ‘endgame’
20 Apr 2023: EU ETS extension could have devastating impact on low-income households
18 Apr 2023: French Greens play spoilsport as EU Parliament votes on carbon market reform
18 Apr 2023: Why adopting the Social Climate Fund is the right choice for the EU
14 Apr 2023: EU carbon market: Gas, petrol prices could spike from 2027, experts say
7 Mar 2023: German Science Academy urges speed and cooperation in Europe’s energy transition
31 Jan 2023: Jargon alert – what does a carbon market for transport mean?
23 Dec 2022: Emissions trading and carbon pricing: Recapping a busy week for green policy in the EU
23 Dec 2022: Can Europe's new Social Climate Fund protect poor from rising carbon cost?
19 Dec 2022: Agriculture and fisheries evade EU’s new CO2 price
19 Dec 2022: EU approves CO2 tax on heating and transport, softened by new social climate fund
2 Dec 2022: EU carbon market reform ‘progressing at snail’s pace’ ahead of final talks
24 Nov 2022: Poland takes hard line on EU carbon price for heating
14 Nov 2022: Negotiations on EU carbon market stuck in quagmire
24 Oct 2022: FAQ: Non-CO2 mitigation measures in ReFuelEU and EU ETS
13 Oct 2022: Europe must become the leader in carbon-free shipping
13 Oct 2022: Steelmakers win concessions in EU carbon market reform talks
6 Oct 2022: Clearing the fog around heavy industry’s carbon market claims
29 Sep 2022: Lawmakers close in on EU carbon market ‘frontloading’ to lower energy prices
22 Sep 2022: EU governments carving out €20 bn in carbon market exemptions for shipping
25 Jul 2022: Long road ahead for carbon market reform
18 Jul 2022: Denmark floats alternative to EU’s carbon market fundraising plan
28 Jun 2022: Fight over funding threatens EU deal on new climate laws
27 Jun 2022: How to make ETS2 work for climate and people
23 Jun 2022: Tired EU Parliament agrees carbon pricing compromise ahead of Council clash
23 Jun 2022: Why I am voting in favour of the ETS deal in the European Parliament
10 Jun 2022: Call to European leaders: do not bury the ETS2
10 Jun 2022: Divided Parliament votes down EU carbon market reform
19 May 2022: Trust in carbon market ‘undermined’ by EU’s Russia plans, analysts warn
17 May 2022: Shipping polluters finally set to pay as European Parliament prepares to vote
16 May 2022: Berlin pushes for a €60 minimum price on EU carbon markets
13 May 2022: Idea of carbon price ‘corridor’ resurfaces in France
10 May 2022: Can the EU and China align their carbon markets?
6 May 2022: Meddling with EU carbon market could have ‘unintended consequences’, MEP says
2 May 2022: ‘Money time’ for EU carbon market reform in the European Parliament
21 Apr 2022: The forgotten innovation agenda of the ETS
28 Mar 2022: No major abnormalities in EU carbon market, says watchdog
18 Mar 2022: High energy costs intensify debate over EU plan to decarbonise heating and transport
18 Feb 2022: Lead EU lawmaker proposes carbon market rules to respond to price spikes
15 Feb 2022: EU in balancing act over carbon border levy, industry concerns
11 Feb 2022: The price of polluting is soaring: report
4 Feb 2022: EU carbon tax puts a price on shipping emissions
3 Feb 2022: EU carbon market blurred by volatile prices and speculation, Greens warn
13 Jan 2022: Lawmaker offers households temporary opt-out from EU’s new carbon market
21 Dec 2021: EU split on proposals to extend carbon pricing to road transport, ban polluting cars
9 Dec 2021: EU carbon price could hit €100 by year end after record run – analysts
15 Nov 2021: Comparing the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ roadmap and the IEA’s net-zero scenario
22 Oct 2021: Eastern countries win carbon market ‘study’ at EU summit
14 Oct 2021: EU countries slam new carbon market plans as energy prices soar
2 Sep 2021: ETS reform: How to avoid a new ‘green iron curtain’ in Europe
20 Jul 2021: Carbon market overhaul shifts EU’s climate policy focus on industry, fairness
12 Jul 2021: EU climate targets are undermined by ETS subsidies. They must end
29 Jun 2021: EU drafts plan to toughen carbon market
22 Jun 2021: Why a carbon tax is the most effective price signal for the building sector
18 Jun 2021: CO2 price for EU buildings best solution: BPIE
14 Jun 2021: An ETS for transport and buildings is essential
7 Jun 2021: Is anyone able to control the carbon price?
20 May 2021: LEAK: EU set to maintain national CO2 targets for non-ETS sectors
18 May 2021: EU to launch ‘adjacent’ carbon market for transport, buildings
18 May 2021: UK launches carbon market – without link to Europe
10 May 2021: CO2 pricing ‘not enough’ to decarbonise industry, chemical makers say
23 Apr 2021: EU to apply CO2 emissions trading to buildings, transport, European Commission says
20 Apr 2021: Is the EU ETS getting it right?
16 Apr 2021: Gas overtakes lignite as Europe’s largest source of power emissions
5 Apr 2021: Carbon pricing: can Europe succeed where Macron failed?
5 Apr 2021: EU carbon market emissions excluding aviation fell 12.6% in 2020
26 Mar 2021: Brussels rules out double carbon compensation for EU steelmakers
26 Mar 2021: ETS revision will include buildings and road transport, EU Commissioner says
25 Mar 2021: Carbon markets are proving resilient to the coronavirus pandemic
22 Mar 2021: Europe has overtaken China on electric cars. Three roadblocks stand in the way
19 Mar 2021: How carbon pricing is driving the renovation of Czech homes
12 Mar 2021: EU Parliament votes to retain free CO2 quotas for industry
9 Feb 2021: Emissions effort sharing should remain key tool to reach EU climate targets – study
28 Jan 2021: Let’s end the debate: putting international shipping into the ETS is clearly legal
11 Jan 2021: EU price on pollution hits record high in early 2021
14 Dec 2020: Britain proposes domestic emissions trading scheme from Jan 1
14 Dec 2020: Ship ‘coffee breaks’ not enough to avoid EU carbon charges