AUTHORS: Jason Anderson-Ian Skinner-Dr Camilla Bausch-Anna Leipprand

This briefing reviews existing literature and outlines arguments for and against the early inclusion (e.g. from 2008) of aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme (ETS). It concludes that such an early inclusion is unlikely and argues that, in the interim, there is a need for other measures to reduce aviation’s impact on climate change. The briefing also suggests that there should be a trial period or semi-integrated ETS to enable industry and regulators alike to learn how best to integrate aviation into the EU ETS, prior to aviation’s full inclusion in the scheme. It is one in a series of eight briefings produced for the European Parliament under a Framework contract led by IEEP.