Preparing for Emissions Trading in Europe

On 2 February 2009, European Union legislation came into force incorporating aviation into the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) as from 2012 (Directive EC/2008/101). Virtually all airlines with operations to, from and within the EU fall under the scope of the directive, including non-EU airlines.

In preparation for aviation’s inclusion in the EU ETS, the European Commission (EC) has developed guidelines for the monitoring and reporting of aviation activity data (tonne-kilometres and CO2 emissions).  Under the guidelines, airlines captured by the EU ETS must meet certain requirements. In summary, these airlines will have to:

• Submit monitoring plans by the end of August 2009
• Monitor tonne-kilometres and CO2 emissions from 1 January 2010
• Report tonne-kilometre data by 31 March 2011
• Report CO2 emissions data by 31 March 2011
• Apply for free emissions allowances by 31 March 2011
• Surrender allowances for 2012 emissions by 30 April 2013

Need assistance implementing these guidelines in your airline?

• Please refer to our detailed Frequently Asked Questions or questions and answers:
  • Monitoring plans (pdf)
  • Tonne-kilometre monitoring and reporting (pdf)
  • Emissions monitoring and reporting (pdf)
• For other questions, please contact us at: environment@iata.org.