"A European court ruled Wednesday that airlines flying into and out of European airports will have to pay a price for the carbon dioxide they emit when they burn jet fuel."

"U.S. airlines, which had been fighting the idea in court, say the European Union is trying to force other countries to reduce carbon emissions. Europe currently limits carbon dioxide emissions from its major industries to curb global warming. The ruling cannot be appealed, and the decision is likely to end the dispute.

Air travel contributes only about 2 to 4 percent of the CO2 emissions worldwide. But Pamela Campos, an attorney with the Environmental Defense Fund, says that will grow."

Christopher Joyce reports for NPR's All Things Considered December 21, 2011. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"International Airlines Will Be Charged for Carbon Emissions, EU Court Rules" (Guardian) [3]

"Carbon Emission Fees for Flights Upheld" (New York Times) [4]

"AVIATION: U.S. airlines lose court battle to resist E.U. carbon market " (ClimateWire) [5]