Chinese carriers have been ordered not to pay Europe for emissions

The European Commission (EC) has promised to continue charging airlines for their emissions despite China prohibiting its carriers from paying without Beijing¡¯s permission.

As part of charges aimed at curbing harmful greenhouse gases, the European Union (EU) scheme will require airlines to account for all emissions on flights using European airports.

The program was introduced on January 1 this year, but airlines will not be forced to pay until 2013. ????

¡°We¡¯re not backing down in our legislation,¡± EC spokesperson Isaac Valero-Ladr¨®n told the New York Times.

¡°We¡¯ll apply this to companies operating in Europe.¡±

According to Associated Press, the Chinese Government is considering unspecified measures to protect Chinese companies, although there is no indication at this time of any immediate impact on flights between China and Europe or of penalties for Chinese airlines.

Speaking at a previously scheduled press conference on EU relations with China, EU ambassador to Beijing, Markus Ederer, said that when taking free credits into account, the added cost per passenger for a flight from Beijing to Brussels would be just 1.90 euros (US$2.70), AP reported.? ?????

"I leave it to you to make a judgment on whether this is too much for saving the Earth, combating climate change and making headway together," he said.

However, it is not just China opposing the new measures, with Russia, India and the United States also standing in opposition to the ban.