The EU claimed that in 2012, certificates for one tonne of emissions would cost €14; the fine for ignoring the rule – €100 per ton and the companies that refuse to pay would be banned from crossing the EU borders.

Overall, the EU listed 4,000 companies, including such giants as Lufthansa, KLM, and Qantas.

As 2012 approaches, more and more countries are voicing their concern over the EU claim.

Russian Aeroflot, which has already calculated the forthcoming expenditures, called on the government to protest against the initiative, whereas the Russian Aviation Agency promised to make foreign companies pay for flying above Russia’s territory.

Alarmed by the world trends, the IATA stepped forward. The Association claimed that the EU proposal would inevitably lead to conflicts.

The IAIA says that instead of improving the ecological situation, the scheme will seriously damage air companies that have just managed to overcome the economic crisis.

Furthermore, the IATA argues, there is no reason why the EU should receive the money, rather than the entire world.

A solution is the global market for emission quotas – the system that will cover all the countries and all the air companies.

Aviation bio fuel to replace traditional by 2040

In addition to this, the IATA lays high hopes on the new eco-friendly fuel that might significantly help reduce greenhouse effects and improve the ecological performance of air companies.

According to Dmitry Shamraev, the Russian representative of IATA, bio fuel, already used in some types of airplanes in experimental ways, would receive international certification by 2011.

Back in 2009, an aircraft belonging to Japanese airlines JAL, powered with second generation bio fuel, performed a successful test flight. Instead of traditional jet fuel, this Boeing-747 was using fuel generated from the inedible family of cabbage and algae. The engine was the same.

According to Shamraev, the next step is to increase production of bio fuel and put it up for sale. This will help implement the novelty of such fuel into the existing system.

“For now, bio fuel remains more of a scientific product,” Shamraev said. “In order to change this, all countries of the IATA should promote the idea. Aviation is a key factor of social and economic development. We have 2.2 billion passengers, 32 million work places, eight per cent of the world GDP, which equals $3.5 trillion and just two per cent of global carbon emissions which still need to be reduced.”

Billy Glover, a representative from the Boeing environmental department, believes that air companies should not be intimidated by the higher prices of bio fuel.

“So far, bio fuel is 20 per cent more expensive than traditional jet fuel,” Glover was quoted as saying by Gazera.ru on-line newspaper. “But we are planning to reduce the price by 2012.”

Starting in 2010, the IATA plans to increase fuel efficiency by five per cent, starting in 2020 – freeze the amount of emissions despite world transportation growth of any kind, and starting in 2050 – reduce carbon emissions by 50 per cent – in comparison with 2050.

By 2040, the IATA promises to replace jet fuel with bio fuel.