Another blow to the eco-miserabilist meme

India boycotts EU aviation carbon charge

Indian airlines will not comply with the European Union's (EU) carbon charging scheme, according to civil aviation minister Ajit Singh.

The EU has directed Indian carriers to submit the emissions details of their aircraft by 31 March.

But Mr Singh told parliament that "no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the government".

Last month, China said its airlines would not pay the EU charge.

Many other countries, including Russia and the US, have also objected to the scheme, under which airlines that exceed tight emission limits must buy carbon credits.

They see this as a tax on CO2 emissions from aircraft flying to or from destinations outside Europe and say it fails to comply with international law.

Brussels has insisted the carbon charge is essential if it is to meet its obligation to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.

In December 2011, the European Court of Justice ruled that the EU charge was legal.

The charge, which the EU says could make long-haul flights up to 12 euros ($16; £10) more expensive, was introduced in January, though airlines will not have to start paying it until next year.