EU carbon market is top snag in airline deal: India

[MONTREAL] The European Union's plan to keep its curbs on pollution from airlines is the main hindrance to an international agreement on a carbon market for the industry, according to a senior Indian official.

An accord discussed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) wouldn't authorise EU measures prior to the global deal unless other states agree, said Prashant Sukul, India's representative to the United Nations agency.

Envoys from more than 190 countries meeting here are trying to iron out differences over the first-ever commitment to a carbon tool for the US$708 billion industry.