Strategic Considerations of European Carbon Emission Trading System （Zhang Min）

Abstract：Starting from January  2012, the EU has stepped up efforts in extending the carbon emission trading system to the global aviation industry, signaling a dramatic change from law-formulation to enforceable policy action in the scramble for the power of regime-making in low carbon economy.

The EU’s mandatory "cap and trade" system to extend the quantifiable carbon emission standards to all the countries in the world has constituted a breach of the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” as enshrined in the Kyoto Protocol. Viewed in hindsight the unilateral action by EU to levy aviation taxes poses a challenge to the existing law and order governing the international aviation industry, thus encroaching upon the rights of carbon emission of other countries. It is tantamount to retarding the economic development of other countries if the EU continues to foist upon other countries to implement the measures for energy saving and emission reduction targets.

IES innovation project briefing，No. 18, 2012.