Written question asked by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 14 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 October 2004. It was answered by Charlotte Atkins (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Dept for Transport

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy to proceed with the introduction of market mechanisms to reflect the contribution of aviation to global warming if such measures are opposed by the United States. - Inc ref to 'Future of Air Transport', and 'Aviation and the Environment: Using Economic Instruments'.

Answer: Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his policy to proceed with the introduction of market mechanisms to reflect the contribution of aviation to global warming if such measures are opposed by the United States. [192243] Charlotte Atkins: The Government are committed to taking a lead in tackling the problem of climate change. We are pursuing vigorously our commitment in the "Future of Air Transport" White Paper to press for aviation joining the EU emissions trading scheme in 2008, or as soon as possible thereafter. We will make this a priority during the UK Presidency of the EU in 2005 and beyond. And we intend to pursue similar action at the global level. We will continue to explore and discuss options for the use of other economic instruments, building on the work in the March 2003 report, "Aviation and the Environment: Using Economic Instruments". We reserve the right to act alone or bilaterally with like- minded partners if progress towards agreements at an international level proves too slow.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 425 c683-4W; 192243
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Aviation Air pollution Climate change Carbon dioxide Aircraft Exhaust emissions
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk