European Commission sets the rules for allocation of free emissions allowances to airlines

Today the European Commission has taken an important step for the aviation industry to join other economic sectors in the fight against climate change. Aviation will become part of the EU's emissions trading system (EU ETS) from 2012. The European Commission has published the benchmark values which will be used to allocate greenhouse gas emission allowances free of charge to more than 900 aircraft operators.

Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: "With the benchmark values, airlines now have certainty how many allowances they will receive for free each year up to 2020. At current market prices these free allowances represent more than €20 billion over the decade. With these potential revenues, airlines could invest in modernising their fleets, improving fuel efficiency and using non-fossil aviation fuel. As much as the EU prefers global action, we can't defend that the aviation sector is exempted from contributing because they can't agree internationally. This is why the EU decided to take this step forward in 2008 while we will continue to fight for global regulation of aviation like at the next UN climate negotiations in Durban.''

UNFCCC joins Caring for Climate

The Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Monday signed an agreement to join forces on Caring for Climate, the Global Compact-UNEP initiative aimed at advancing the role of business in addressing climate change.

The United Nations Global Compact, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and UNFCCC Secretariat said in a joint press release they will work together to better align Caring for Climate with the climate policy agenda and enhance the visibility of business actions in the process.

"In the months ahead and starting at the 17th Conference of Parties to the UNFCCC (COP 17) to be held in Durban, South Africa later this year, Caring for Climate signatories will have several opportunities to exchange information and experiences, and enhance their understanding of the UNFCCC process", they said.

Commission launches consultation on further reducing industrial gas emissions

The European Commission today launched a public consultation on strengthening EU measures to reduce emissions of fluorinated gases, a group of industrial gases which are extremely powerful contributors to global warming.

A Commission review, which was also adopted today, concludes that the EU's existing Regulation on fluorinated gases ('F-gases') is having a significant impact but that, without further measures, F-gas emissions are expected to remain at today's levels in the long term.

The review identifies wide scope for further cost-effective emission reductions, mainly due to the growing feasibility of replacing F-gases in several sectors with alternatives that make less or no contribution to climate change. Potentially the EU could eliminate up to two thirds of today's fluorinated gas emissions by 2030, it finds.

Australia committed to tackling climate change across the Pacific

The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, today announced further details on Australia’s commitment to small Pacific nations over the next two years to help the region plan for and respond to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

As the region’s largest nation Ms Gillard said it is important that Australia help its smaller neighbours deal with the effects that climate change will have on their island nations.

Pacific Island countries are among the most vulnerable to climate change. The funds will be provided through Australia’s International Climate Change Adaptation Initiative.

Australia’s support has helped build understanding of climate change in the region. It has also supported practical activities including helping Pacific countries develop climate change plans, install rainwater tanks and plant mangroves to protect riverbanks and shore lines.