Airlines argue in the European Court of Justice that the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is an overreach when imposed on flights to/from Europe.
Emissions by air travel accounts for approximately 3% of the world's pollution, a figure that pales in comparison to other industries'. Adopting the ETS, Europe's cap-and-trade equivalent, will cost the airline industry an estimated $1.6 billion annually, the amount that will be reflected in higher ticket price for consumers.
According to The Economist, "a global carbon market would be better than a European one, but there is no prospect of one starting up any time soon. Nor is the airline industry about to volunteer to pay for the pollution it causes."
"The airlines have a point when they complain that Europe could impose its rules in a discriminatory manner. The ETS requirements can be waived on flights from nations that have what the EU sees as 'equivalent measures' in place-and Brussels will decide what counts as equivalent. The plan would be fairer if such disputes were referred to a neutral forum in which 'equivalent measures' could be defined. And it would be more palatable if governments cut the taxes that they currently justify in the name of greenery."
FULL STORY: Clean-air turbulence
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Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars
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House Moves to Rescind California’s Emissions Standards
The state has been allowed to set its own emissions goals, including a mandate to transition to electric or zero-emissions vehicles by 2035.
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A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
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Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
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In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won
A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.
Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide
Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.
Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code
The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
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Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
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