WRITTEN QUESTION E-1988/01

by Dorette Corbey (PSE) and Jan Wiersma (PSE) to the Commission

(6 July 2001)

Subject: 33rd ICAO General Meeting (25 September - 5 October 2001)

On 14 December 2000, Parliament adopted a resolution on the Commission communication to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the taxation of aircraft fuel(1), in which Parliament calls on the Presidency and the Commission to keep Parliament fully informed about the 33rd General Meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) scheduled for 25 September - 5 October 2001.

Having regard to prevailing climate problems and the contribution made by air travel to CO2 emissions, the ICAO meeting appears, not least in the light of EU sustainable development strategy, to present a good opportunity for taking practical steps to limit greenhouse gas emissions by air traffic.

1. Can the Commission state what the EU contribution will be in relation in particular to excise duty or aircraft fuel? What other measures to limit CO2 emissions by air traffic does the EU propose? What is the EU reaction to the development by Boeing of the high-speed Sonic Cruiser aircraft that will use 35 % more fuel than normal aircraft (see The Times, 19 June 2001)?

2. Does the Commission intend to inform Parliament well in advance of the 33rd ICAO General Meeting of what the EU contribution will be? If so, when and how?

3. Does the Commission intend to inform Parliament on conclusion of the 33rd ICAO General Meeting of the outcome of that event? If so, when and how?

(1) COM(2000) 110 - C5-0207/2000 - 2000/2114(COS).

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

The Belgian Presidency will present papers at the 33rd General Assembly of the International civil aviation organisation (ICAO) on a wide range of issues on behalf of the Community and its Member States. On environmental protection (Agenda Item 14), it will present papers on aircraft noise, aircraft emissions and market-based measures.

On market-based measures, it will encourage the development for international aviation of practical guidance for the implementation in the shorter term, of mechanisms such as voluntary agreements, aviation fuel taxes, and emissions related charges and in the longer term of an open emissions trading programme compatible with the principles of the Kyoto Protocol. The Commission will continue to contribute to the work of ICAO and will also work with the Member States and the European Parliament to develop policies and measures at European level as appropriate.

The proposal by Boeing to develop the Sonic Cruiser highlights the importance of setting environmental standards and economic incentives for European and world-wide implementation in order to promote the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft.

The Commission outlined, in its declaration at the plenary session of the European Parliament on 2 July 2001, its position for the forthcoming ICAO Assembly. The papers mentioned above will be made available to the Parliament as soon as they have been endorsed by the Council and submitted to ICAO.

The Commission will inform the Parliament of the outcome of the General Assembly, in any possible way requested by the competent parliamentary bodies.