The debate on the legitimacy of the EU decision to include aviation in the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) reopened with the beginning of 2012. From January 1, indeed, both domestic and international airlines that arrive at or depart from European airports have to comply with the EU ETS Directive, which requires them to buy allowances for carbon emissions exceeding the amount assigned by the European Commission. Several non-EU airline operators and associations, especially from U.S., Canada, China and India, are trying to block this decision blaming that it violates the sovereignty of their States. However, the European Court of Justice officially confirmed in december the validity of the directive and pointed out that when aircrafts are physically in the territory of one of the EU Member States, they are subject to the unlimited jurisdiction of the EU.

In China, the Financial Science Research Institute of Ministry of Finance drafted a new environmental taxation system which is expected to enter into force within the end of the current five-year plan, in 2015.

In the wake of the accident that involved the Fukushima nuclear plant last March, the Japanese government is working to reconsider provisions on nuclear energy with the objective to strengthen security measures. So, the Nuclear Disaster Minister and Minister of the Environment the Nuclear Disaster Minister Goshi Hosono announced a plan aimed at preventing both damages to reactor cores and the release of radioactive materials.

Read full stories and updates about carbon market in the latest issue of Climate Policy News, by Mrinella Davide.

Picture credits: caribb’s album in Flickr