European Commission puts aviation carbon scheme on hold Those opposing the Commission's Emissions Trading Scheme said any proposals to tackle greenhouse gases should be drawn up by International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations agency. Announcing plans to put ETS on hold, Commissioner Hedegaard said: "To create a positive atmosphere, we have agreed to stop the clock" She also set ICAO 12 month to come up with its own scheme, warning the EU would resurrect its own plans if it failed to do so. The move was welcomed by United, the world's largest carrier following its merger with its US rival Continental. We have always advocated a global solution by ICAO to address the climate impacts of aviation, and ETS was an obstacle to progress. "While we believe ETS is illegal, we welcome its suspension to allow ICAO to forge an international agreement," a spokesman said. The EU decision was also welcomed by British Airways. "We have repeatedly called for a global deal on aviation emissions, and we welcome the progress currently being made at an ICAO level to achieve that," a spokesman said. A spokesman for WWF. formerly the World Wildlife Fund, added: "The Commission's move on aviation in the ETS buys some time for ICAO, who were arguably galvanised into action by the EU in the first place after years of foot-dragging on this issue. Now it's up to other countries who have been opposing action on tackling the climate impacts of aviation, especially the United States, to show that they are serious about pushing for a global solution. This is a great chance for ICAO members to show leadership and push for a global agreement on this issue. However Simon Buck, chief executive of the British Air Transport Association sounded a note of caution. "Any part suspension of the EU ETS must not result in different rules applying to different airlines dependent on the routes they operate." he said. There is a potential for competitive distortion between airlines with this action which could be damaging.