Airlines call for aviation's inclusion in Copenhagen deal

International Herald Tribune

SINGAPORE: Four leading airlines and an airport operator called Thursday for aviation emissions to be included in a broader climate pact, after growing criticism from environmental groups that the sector was not doing enough to fight global warming.

The move is the first step by airlines around the world to steer the debate on an emissions pact toward a deal they are happy with, rather than having one imposed upon them.

Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic and the airport operator BAA issued the call in Hong Kong and outlined a series of principles for a global deal for aviation.

Conservation groups like the World Wide Fund for Nature, say the aviation sector has not been doing enough to tackle its growing share of greenhouse gas pollution and that it should pay for its emissions like many other industries.

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