+20 Industry & Civil Society Organisations Call on the EU to Include All Departing Flights in the EU Carbon Market
Twenty industry and civil society organizations are urging the European Commission to include all departing flights in the EU's carbon market during the upcoming revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). They argue that this change is necessary to ensure aviation contributes fairly to climate goals, as currently, a significant portion of aviation emissions remains unregulated, undermining the EU's decarbonization efforts.
For someone tracking climate policy and carbon markets, the key insight is that expanding the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to include all departing flights from Europe could generate nearly €14 billion by 2030. This would not only help level the playing field among airlines by enforcing the polluter pays principle but also provide significant funding for decarbonization technologies, making low-carbon transport alternatives more competitive and supporting Europe’s broader climate objectives. This presents a crucial opportunity for policy advocacy and investment in sustainable aviation solutions.