IATA claims Carbon Taxes don't reduce emissions

The International Air Transport Association has slammed governments around the world for imposing punitive taxes on carbon emissions.

Calling for more focus on infrastructure and operations changes, IATA claim that the imposition of these taxes do not actually effect change.

“Taxes don’t reduce emissions. Only better operations and technology can do that,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA Director General and CEO.

“The airline industry is in crisis. With a fuel bill of US$190 billion – one third of its costs - saving fuel is a matter of survival.”

Mr Bisignani pays particular attention to Europe’s insistence on implementing the taxes soon, with full aviation integration into the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) by 2012.

“There is a rush to implement taxes, taxes and more taxes. They all have an environment label, but do nothing to reduce emissions,” he adds.

IATA continues to push their ‘four-pillar’ strategy for lessening emissions, which are the focuses on technology investment, effective operations, efficient infrastructure and positive economic measures.

Mr Bisignani says that these carbon taxes are a lucrative way for governments to gain more income.