EU wins airline carbon legal fight

The EU has won its legal battle to impose its carbon trading scheme on international airlines using European airports.

The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg dismissed the argument of US airlines that the plan infringes on national sovereignty or violates international aviation treaties.

The carbon trading programme is due to go into effect on January 1.

It is one of the widest reaching measures adopted by any country or regional bloc to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases blamed for global warming.

The suit was brought by US airlines acting through the industry trade organisation Airlines for America, but the protest was supported by China, India and other countries with international carriers.