According to the latest European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) Dublin’s Ryanair occupies 10TH position in the list of Europe’s top 10 carbon emitters. Surprisingly, it’s the first time a company that doesn’t run a coal-fired power plant has figured out in this disgraceful list of carbon emitters in Europe, the remaining nine are coal-fired power plants- seven in Germany, one in Poland and one in Bulgaria.
The data from EU’S Transport and Environment group suggests that Ryanair’s carbon dioxide emissions increased by 6.9 % last year.
However, Ryanair’s Chief executive Michael O’Leary rubbished this news and claimed that Ryanair is one of the greenest airlines in the European continent.
In the wake of this news the airline released a statement – “Passengers travelling on Ryanair have the lowest CO2 emissions per km travelled than any other airline.”
The European Union says it’s not just Ryanair that’s emitting high carbon levels, the emissions in the entire European aviation industry increased by 4.9% last year.
The European Union controls CO2 emissions through its Emissions Trading System (ETS). The EU ETS is the largest greenhouse gas emissions trading system in the world that works on a cap and trade principle. The EU ETS sets a cap on the total greenhouse gas emissions for an organization and this cap is converted into tradable emission allowances. Those companies which are likely to emit more than their allocated emission, can buy additional allowances from other companies. Companies must give up enough emission allowances each year to cover all their emissions otherwise they face heavy fines.
The airline industry has introduced the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Under this scheme all airlines across the world are required to monitor and report their carbon dioxide emissions from this year.
Aviation accounts for 3.6% of Europe’s entire greenhouse gas emissions and this is expected to increase by up to 300% by 2050.
