US criticised over objections to environmental legislation

The US has come in for criticism for its rigid stance against EU environmental legislation that is aimed at cleaning up the airline industry.

Later this week, the International Civil Aviation Organisation is expected to mull over the possibility of endorsing a declaration that has been signed by 21 countries who apparently want to be omitted from Europe's emissions trading scheme.

The reforms will force carriers to pay if they exceed their carbon output when operating in Europe.

However, independent group Transport & Environment has suggested that some of the countries that supposedly signed the agreement are already exempt from the reforms, which has raised questions about the legitimacy of the opposition.

Programme manager for aviation at the organisation Bill Hemmings said the US in particular should focus less on potentially lengthy lawsuits and more on making its planes more environmentally-friendly.

Last week the US Congress voted heavily in favour of withdrawing the country's airlines from the emissions trading legislation, after raising concerns that companies will have to foot huge bills to continue operating in Europe.

Posted by Claire Manning