Airline group backs global emissions trading scheme

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Four of the world's top airlines have backed a global scheme to curb carbon emissions and hope the proposal will be included in a broader U.N. pact to fight climate change. It is the first time airline firms have banded together to make recommendations to U.N. climate change officials on how to tackle the sector's carbon emissions.

SINGAPORE, April 6 (Reuters) - Four of the world's top airlines have backed a global scheme to curb carbon emissions and hope the proposal will be included in a broader U.N. pact to fight climate change.

It is the first time airline firms have banded together to make recommendations to U.N. climate change officials on how to tackle the sector's carbon emissions.

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Aviation is responsible for about two percent of global greenhouse gas pollution and that share is expected to rise, as leading green groups and the European Union demand the sector clean up its act.

Air France/KLM (AIRF.PA), British Airways (BAY.L), Cathay Pacific (0293.HK), Virgin Atlantic [VA.UL], airport operator BAA (FER.MC) and international NGO The Climate Group have proposed a deal that covers all carbon pollution from the international aviation sector.

This would ensure equal treatment for airlines and open the way to global emissions trading within the sector and possibly with other industries and countries.

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