looking recommendations on IKI as a programme and important conclusions on the outcomes of the projects. Insights into measurability, reportability and verifiability of climate protection measures in developing, emerging and transition countries are also expected. Germany can incorporate practical experience from the implementation of IKI into the preparation of EU positions. Climate protection is a global problem and requires an internationally functioning instrument such as emissions trading (see box). Extending the European system to the EFTA states Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein is a first step toward global emissions trading. To make progress, Germany has been represented by the Federal Ministry of the Environment in the International Carbon Action Partnership (ICAP) since it was established in 2007. The network supports the exchange between countries and regions of Europe through North America to Asia which have already used or are planning to introduce emissions trading. The goal is a common understanding of relevant terms and key conditions of a uniform implementation of emissions trading around the world.
Emissions Trading above the Clouds The EU introduced the emissions trading scheme for businesses at the beginning of 2005. As a market-based instrument for climate protection, emissions trading ensures that CO2 emissions are reduced where savings can be implemented most economically. However, there are still no binding international regulations for the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation. The reduction obligations agreed upon in the Kyoto Protocol do not include emissions caused by international aviation although air traffic accounts for about four percent of EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is increasing rapidly. The growth rate between 1990 and 2004 amounted to about 87 percent alone. Aviation will be included in the European Emissions Trading Scheme from 2012 onwards. All airlines and operators of so-called business jets whose flights start or end in the EU must participate. The preparations are in full swing with 4,000 aircraft operators participating from more than 150 countries. The German Emissions Trading Authority (DEHSt) at UBA is the responsible authority for about 360 operators. In the autumn of 2009 aircraft operators submitted to DEHSt monitoring plans for the calculation of CO2 emissions from transport services for approval. The concepts served as the basis for subsequent annual reporting which started in March 2011, reporting the CO2 emissions of the previous year. DEHSt will then for the first time issue emission allowances to aircraft operators in February 2012.
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