Airline emissions plan backed by 60 nations: White House

Washington

AT least 60 nations have agreed to join the voluntary phase of a United Nations programme that will require international airlines to buy credits offsetting their pollution, including new commitments from major emitters like Japan, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates.

The White House believes the new commitments provide critical momentum for the proposed deal heading into a conference beginning on Tuesday in Montreal, where supporters hope to forge the first global climate pact governing a single industry.