Letter to EU Environment and Transport Ministers on Aviation Emissions

The letter argues that aviation is the fastest growing transport mode and that ICAO's proposed offset mechanisms are inadequate. It calls for the EU to establish a common position, phase out tax-free fuel and VAT status, and push for legally binding emissions reduction carbon budgets for 2030 and 2050 to keep global warming below 2°C.

• Aviation is identified as the most carbon intensive and fastest growing transport mode, accounting for 5% of global warming. Its CO2 emissions are estimated to be approximately equal to those of Germany and are projected to increase by up to 270% between 2010 and 2050, while fossil fuel consumption is expected to double by 2036.
• The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) is criticized for failing to implement emission reduction measures since 1997, during which time emissions more than doubled. The current ICAO offset mechanism is viewed as deeply inadequate due to its likely minimal environmental effect.
• The authors argue that aviation's tax-free fuel and VAT status contradict emissions reduction goals and should be phased out in Europe. They also oppose subsidies for non-viable regional airports and operating aid for airlines serving them.
• The letter requests that EU ministers ensure inter-ministerial cooperation at the Madrid Dialogue, propose legally binding carbon budgets for 2030 and 2050 consistent with a 2°C warming limit, and ensure that any intra-EU system is not based on offsetting.

APA

Carbon Market Watch (2015). Letter to EU Environment and Transport Ministers on Aviation Emissions. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/letter-to-eu-environment-and-transport-ministers-on-aviation-emissions/

Chicago

Carbon Market Watch. Letter to EU Environment and Transport Ministers on Aviation Emissions. 2015. https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/letter-to-eu-environment-and-transport-ministers-on-aviation-emissions/.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Carbon Market Watch |title=Letter to EU Environment and Transport Ministers on Aviation Emissions |date=16 April 2015 |url=https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/letter-to-eu-environment-and-transport-ministers-on-aviation-emissions/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{carbonmarketwatch2015letter, author = {{Carbon Market Watch}}, title = {{Letter to EU Environment and Transport Ministers on Aviation Emissions}}, publisher = {Carbon Market Watch}, year = {2015}, month = apr, url = {https://carbonmarketwatch.org/publications/letter-to-eu-environment-and-transport-ministers-on-aviation-emissions/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }