16 February 2005 - Green Euro-MPs have urged EU finance ministers meeting tomorrow to adopt plans for a tax on aviation fuel.

Taxing aviation fuel would bring the aviation industry in line with the rail sector – and introduce an incentive for the industry to cut its greenhouse gas emissions. The aviation sector is the fastest growing contributor to the greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change – but it is exempt from the emissions reduction schemes adopted under the Kyoto Protocol, which came into force today.

Caroline Lucas, Green Party MEP for South-East England and a member of the Parliament’s Environment Committee, said: “Aviation is the fastest growing contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and will be responsible for a quarter of all UK emissions by 2030. The industry currently enjoys tax breaks and other hidden subsidies worth some £9 billion a year.

“On the very day the Kyoto Protocol comes into force the EU has demonstrated its rhetorical commitment to tackling climate change – and reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause it. It is absurd to heavily subsidise an industry, and then cry crocodile tears over the impacts of its expansion. If kerosene were taxed at the same rate of car fuel, we would need no further airport capacity in the UK for 30 years.”

ENDS