Under current rules, just 15% of aviation\u2019s climate impact will be priced in 2026, leaving significant pollution untaxed.<\/p>\n
According to Bastien Bonnet-Cantalloube, aviation policy expert at Carbon Market Watch, this is a missed opportunity.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is scandalous that the aviation industry has skirted paying for its climate impacts for so long,\u201d he said in a comment to the report announcement.<\/p>\n Since 2012, the EU ETS has only covered flights within the European Economic Area (EEA).<\/p>\n Expanding it to include all departing flights would at least double the current revenue from aviation emissions.<\/p>\n Reversing the controversial \u2018Stop the clock\u2019 exemption\u2014introduced in 2012 to temporarily limit international flight coverage\u2014could quadruple that amount.<\/p>\n Relevant: Nonprofits Urge EU To Include International Flights Emissions In Carbon Market<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The report also highlights the climate-warming effects of aviation emissions, different from carbon dioxide (CO2), like contrails and nitrous oxide (N2O), which are currently unpriced but could triple aviation\u2019s true climate cost.<\/p>\n Private jets are another blind spot, with 67% of their emissions currently exempt from EU ETS coverage.<\/p>\n Revenue raised could support the decarbonization of aviation through cleaner fuels like e-kerosene and fund upgrades to Europe\u2019s rail network as a low-carbon alternative to short-haul flights.<\/p>\n With the EU facing a $1.3 trillion climate funding gap by 2035, researchers say now is the time to act.<\/p>\n The upcoming EU ETS review has the potential to steer the aviation sector toward decarbonization while also increasing revenue to support the EU\u2019s climate initiatives, Bonnet-Cantalloube concluded.<\/p>\n Read more: BeZero Highlights Carbon Credit Quality Concerns In CORSIA Market<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/5784-Event-Banners-20-1-1.jpg\")
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