ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF AVIATION

That this House welcomes the decision of the European Union to include aviation in the European Union Emission Trading Scheme from 2012; believes that this represents a positive step towards cutting greenhouse gases which will encourage the adoption of more efficient aircraft technologies and operation and help to ensure the aviation industry pays its external environmental costs; notes with concern HM Treasury's proposal to introduce an aviation duty; expresses serious concern at the way the proposal is currently constructed, which will impact negatively on regional development, on both the passenger transport and air-freight divisions of the UK aviation industry and threaten jobs; and calls for the retention and adaptation of the current system of air passenger duty which, in conjunction with the European Union Emission Trading Scheme, represents a more effective policy instrument for delivering environmental benefits than the proposed aviation duty.