Mon, Jun 06, 2005
Report Published
Friends of the Earth
(FOE) published new research from the UK Tyndall Centre for Climate
Change that claims that carbon dioxide reduction targets for the EU
and UK will be impossible to meet if aviation grows at current
rates. FOE wants the UK Government to immediately increase
passenger fees, remove fuel tax exemptions and to pursue emissions
charges with the EU.
The Centre asserts that carbon dioxide is a primary contributor
to global warning, and that transportation is the only sector where
emissions are projected to grow. The United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was agreed to in 1992.
Developed countries agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
below 1990 levels in the Kyoto agreement in 1997.
They conclude that
aviation could use the entire emissions budget for all sectors of
the EU economy by 2040 and all sectors of the UK economy by
2037.
The research report warns of "severe consequences for both the
UK and the EU in terms of meeting their obligations to reduce
carbon dioxide emissions if European governments continue to
permit, or indeed promote, historically high levels of aviation
growth."
"The biggest question this generation faces is how we tackle
climate change. The Government must support the Climate Change Bill
and reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by three per cent a year.
This will need tough action on aviation, as well as other sectors.
This report paints a devastating picture of the future impact of
uncontrolled aviation growth for the environment. Decision makers
in both the UK and the EU must face up to the fact that tackling
climate change means tackling the demand for aviation," said
Friends of the Earth aviation campaigner Richard Dyer.
EU environment commissioner Stavros Dimas said this week that
aviation would probably be included in the EU emissions trading
scheme, but not until 2012 when the first phase of the Kyoto
Protocol ends.
Whether you believe them or not, at least they walk their talk.
The folks at the Tyndall Centre also study their own travel habits
to reduce their own emissions and contribute to renewable
projects.
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