Via the GWPF, the great war of flying carbon credits appears to be massing on the border.
China has warned the European Union to abandon its controversial carbon tax on airlines or risk provoking a global trade war.
Adding weight to the warning, an industry insider told the Financial Times that the Chinese government was seriously considering measures to hit back at the EU if it insists on charging international airlines for their carbon emissions.
In a case initiated by US airlines, the European Court of Justice ruled on Wednesday that the EU’s carbon emissions trading scheme did not infringe on the sovereignty of other nations, and that it was compatible with international law. The change is set to go into effect from January 1.
Chinese airlines have also been preparing an legal challenge in Europe and they still plan to proceed with it, but Chai Haibo, deputy secretary general of the China Air Transport Association, conceded that the European ruling complicated matters as it means they will need to find an alternative reason to challenge the law.
Even if court action fails, Mr Chai was optimistic that concerted global pressure could yet persuade the EU to repeal its law. In the short term, he called on Brussels to delay implementation in light of the intense international outcry that it has provoked.
“Except for the EU, no countries support this,” he said.
He added that several Chinese government departments in Beijing were in the midst of researching possible counter-measures. Chinese airline officials have said before that they might refuse to pay the carbon tax, raising the prospect of a drawn-out legal fight.
The Chinese government has largely stayed on the sidelines of the spat, letting the airlines speak for themselves. In a sign that the industry dispute is escalating to a diplomatic concern, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman on Thursday called the EU plan “unilateral” and said it should be consulting other countries including China.
Xinhua, the state-owned news agency often used by the government to deliver blunter messages, was more direct.
“This is a trade barrier in the name of environmental protection, and it constitutes an attack on the interests of travellers and the international aviation industry,” it said in an editorial. “It will be difficult to avoid a trade war focused on a ‘carbon tax’ for airlines.”
Too bad the USA cannot lift its limp wrist to defend free trade against the EU statist bureaucrats and ecoloons. Thank goodness that China has the energy and muscle to stand up for free trade.
My, how things change! Or as some Chinese might ask: “Is it the saint dreaming of the butterfly or the butterfly dreaming of the saint?”
This short video explains what the UN has in store for the USA and the world.You wont be allowed in any of the red zones. http://www.takingliberty.us/Narrations/usa/usa/player.html
Dave says:
I’m liking this Nigel dude big time. He don’t mind kicking some EU butt on a regular basis. God, the EU lot must hate this guy standing up to give a speech.
I think that the EU will soon learn the golden rule of business, those who have the gold make the rules. Also, did anyone notice that several months ago Richard Branson’s Virgin Enterprises moved their corporate HQ to Switzerland. How long will it be til we see a Geneva Hub for them?
I never would have imagined saying this when I was younger but…GO CHINA!
LarryD says:
December 22, 2011 at 2:07 pm
This feels strange, I’m rooting for mainland China vs Europe.
Yeah, me too.
This may become one of those “turning points” in history.
Victor Barney says:
December 22, 2011 at 1:54 pm
I’m also sure that China is intelligent enough to already know that “global warming” is only a another marxist lie! After all, they have been marxist long enough to realize that by now, have’nt they?
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They’ve laughing at the “global warming” nutters the entire time. The only time they make noise about it is when they think their gravy train might halt. Remember, we’ve been paying them to build their own generation plants, and they’ve all but cornered the ‘sun catcher’ market. The REE that goes into our electric cars and metallic pinwheels also comes from China. This insanity has done nothing but profit China and expand their industrial base. Given that Australia has basically ensured an endless supply of coal to China…… the irony would almost be humorous.
For those slow on the uptake, the actions and policies set forth by the GW nutters has increased CO2 emissions. And, were it not for the recession the nutters helped cause, they would have increased it much more. A proud day for communists world wide.
Why are people worshiping the Chinese government?
This is old news led by the major airlines.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/jamesdelingpole/100125720/more-bad-news-for-the-anti-energy-green-greed-brigade/
The natural consequence of the European destination airline carbon tax is it will be more expensive to fly to Europe. Higher costs, less tourists, less jobs. There is a natural balance of how much tourists have to spend versus the cost of the trip.
There is also a natural balance as to how much countries can raise in taxes versus how much a country can spend on infrastructure and services.
It appears the Europeans are having a team race to bottom. It will be interesting to see at which point in time, the general population starts to question the extreme AGW boondoggle and then looks for scape goats.
Latitude says:
December 22, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Now that I have my mandated health insurance, when will I get my mandated life insurance?
The Europeans are always pulling crap like this. I’m glad someone besides us little people stand up to them. I think a trade war is exactly what is needed. I for one have refused to purchase anything from Europe if i can avoid it. Think French wine and German cars for example. I figure it they don’t want Canadian seal pelts or our Alberta oil, Canadians should respond in kind. I think we simply need to respond to them by not flying to any European destinations. Stay home and keep our money in North America. Maybe we should think twice or three times before buying any of their bonds.
Just to put this into perspective. It is of course an attempt by the EU to raise tax revenue, using the CAGW pseudoscience (for which they paid, and the CAGW pseudoscientists have delivered the goods).
But still, even with this tax, air travel will still be far cheaper than it was when every tiny European nation had their national public airline monopoly.
The European bureaucrats are scraping the bottom of the barrel; they have just allowed the ECB to flood the banking system with another 450 bn EUR; 3 year loans for 1 % interest rate. This is probably to force the TARGET2 system back into balance (where the ECB currently owes Germany 350bn EUR – this imbalance grows with 150bn EUR a year. The imbalance is caused by the PIGS printing Euros to go on paying their own bloated bureaucracies.).
They are desperate to finally make some money from the long prepared CAGW scam.
Similarly, the powerless EU parliament has just voted to withhold a lot of carbon credits from the market to stabilize the Carbon Credit prize. The vote serves only as recommendation to the Politkommissars, but the carbon credit prize reacted positively. Made a 40% jump or so yesterday and falls back slightly now.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/quote?ticker=PNXCSPT2:IND
Owen in Georgia says….
“The only way to stop this would be for the US, Canada, Japan, and China to retaliate by limiting European airline access to their airspace, or by issuing punitive landing and ATC fees on European carriers.”
Exactly. I would like to see us announce that all European airline access will be banned until the EU caves 100% on this.
Max Hugoson says:
December 22, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Understand that 12 of the 14 Politburo heads (Central Committee) are ENGINEERS.
Most politicians in the US are lawyers. Compare their approach to problems.
1. USA (today) = pass a law, add a tax.
2. China = fix the problem.
Robert in Calgary says:
December 22, 2011 at 5:24 pm
Exactly. I would like to see us announce that all European airline access will be banned until the EU caves 100% on this.
The Chinese will target the investments of the EU leadership. Look to see what stocks the EU leaders hold, and drive down the prices. They did this with Coca-Cola years back and the US backed off overnight.
Sanctions are no big deal to any government official. They will claim it is a matter of principal – which in reality means sanctions only hurt the poor – never the officials involved. Empty the official’s bank accounts if you want to make a difference and they will come to the table the same day – claiming it was all a misunderstanding..
@wayne – have you ever flown into Oslo? vs Paris, London, Frankfurt etc?
You could drop Oslo airport into any one of those, close your eyes, turn around three times and not find it again for a week.
I suggest England opt out of this insanity, take all the flights destined for Europe, and let those heading to the mainland use rowboats to cross the Channel. (I wouldn’t let them drive–all that CO2 coming from the Chunnels would be taboo!)
Babsy says:
December 22, 2011 at 5:06 pm
The government has already taken care of that–it’s call the estate tax, and instead of getting an end of life benefit, you get to contribute. A bunch.
British Airline calling China: Which runway please. China response: Who are you – only approve airlines may land.
The Greenpeace parrot working for the BBC (Richard Black) has written a sweet ‘blame the USA’ piece on this while conveniently ignoring China – who the Watermelons all seem to love.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16306606
You really need to read this propaganda piece to believe it.
These are the idiots that have drank the green cool-aid and destroyed their own economies, borrowed until nobody will lend them more money, and are now trying to steal what they can from others. We should do everything we can to speed up their demise and collapse.
Dirk – just to put this into perspective…… I AGREE with you.
Gone will be the days of hopping on an airplane and flying off to exotic and not so exotic locations if the EU has its way. So sorry Frank, none of us will be able to afford it.
http://justmeint.wordpress.com/2011/12/23/come-fly-with-me/
Good on you China! Another message to the EU that they should stop this carbon madness, dissolve the EU parliament and get on with business. In stead of running like headless chickens after the likes of Al Gore and those other fraudulent green hippies.
Theo Goodwin says:
December 22, 2011 at 3:19 pm
“Too bad the USA cannot lift its limp wrist to defend free trade against the EU statist bureaucrats and ecoloons. Thank goodness that China has the energy and muscle to stand up for free trade.”
Theo, according to the UK papers this a.m., Hilary Clinton has been on the phone to the E.U.!
Thank you China for standing up to what may turn out to be the greatest tax hoodwink imposed on the “man in the street” namely carbon taxes. Will all these taxes be refunded if it turns out that the climate “cook up” is incorrect? Here in Switzerland we have had the best early winter snowfall in years.