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UK to hand out most airline ETS allowances

Airlines regulated by UK authorities will receive around a third of all the free allowances given to the aviation sector under the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS) this year. Lufthansa, Air France and British Airways look set to be the biggest recipients.

News

China tells airlines not to comply with ETS

China turned up the heat in its battle against the EU's emissions trading scheme (ETS) on Monday, saying its airlines would be banned from the scheme. The new threat was shrugged off by a European Commission spokesman.

News

Refrigerant pollutant needs monitoring – study

Atmospheric levels of the pollutant trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) could increase ten-fold in some parts of Europe as new rules on car air conditioning systems enter force, according to researchers. They recommend TFA levels are monitored.

News

Commission chief wades into ILUC debate

José Manuel Barroso's office and other top European Commission officials have been pulled in to arbitrate an ongoing rift between the EU executive's energy and climate departments over the indirect land use change (ILUC) of biofuel, ENDS has learnt.

News

Portugal's transport plan 'breaches SEA law'

The Portuguese government failed to conduct a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) or hold a consultation before publishing its 2011-15 transport plan last November, NGO Quercus has claimed. It calls for a European Commission investigation.

News

Euro VI emission rules expanded beyond EU

New EU limits on air pollutants from lorries and buses should apply to 31 new countries by 2014 the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) agreed last week. The Euro VI standards will apply in the EU from January 2013.

News

Commission consults on shipping emissions

The European Commission has begun consulting on measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping. The options on the table are emissions trading, a tax or compensation fund, and binding ship-based targets.

Analysis

Can the EU sail through the aviation storm?

Europe faces growing opposition to its inclusion of foreign airlines in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS). Roz Bulleid considers whether an exemption for countries with "equivalent measures" could provide a solution.

Earlier transport articles
The Danish government presents the programme of the Danish Presidency of the Council of the European Union ‘Europe at work'

Denmark took over the presidency of the EU on 1 January.

Read ENDS article on its provisional agenda of meetings

See also its website and full programme of work officially presented on 6 January