20 November 2012
ICAO Council Forms High-Level Group on Market-Based Measures, EU ETS “Stops the Clock” on Aviation
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The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council agreed to form a High-level Group regarding the feasibility of a global market-based measure for international aviation and to develop a policy Framework to guide its application.

In response, the EU will "stop the clock" on enforcement of the inclusion of aviation in the EU's Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on flights to and from Europe until autumn 2013.

15 November 2012: At the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council meeting on 9 November 2012, Council members agreed to form a High-level Group to provide recommendations related to the feasibility of a global market-based measure (MBM) scheme for greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation and to develop a policy Framework to guide the general application of any proposed MBM for air transport activity.

In response to the Council outcome, the EU Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, requested and the EU agreed to “stop the clock” on enforcement of the inclusion of aviation in the EU’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) on flights to and from Europe until after the ICAO General Assembly meets in autumn of 2013. Monitoring and reporting obligations will also be deferred for one year.

The composition of the ICAO Council High-level Group will include senior government officials nominated by their administrations, and will take into account levels of international civil aviation activities. The membership and terms of reference for the Council High-level Group will be determined within the coming week.

The ICAO Council is composed of 36 Member States and is a permanent body of the Organization, responsible to the ICAO Assembly. The 2010 ICAO Assembly instructed the UN aviation body to prepare and deliver an MBM Framework Framework and Feasibility Report for consideration by October 2013. [ICAO Press Release 15 November][EU Press Release]

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