EPA

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Columbia against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its failure in establishing emission standards that limit greenhouse gas pollution from the country’s aircraft fleet.

Filed by non-profit law organisation Earthjustice on behalf of the Center for Biological Diversity and Friends of the Earth, the lawsuit aims to compel EPA to complete the rulemaking process in order to control pollution levels from aircraft.

The groups alleged that EPA has been delaying by nearly a decade to set emission levels under the Clean Air Act.

Claimed to be one of the rapidly growing carbon emission sources, pollution from airplanes is estimated to triple by 2050 unless there are control measures in effect.

In 2007, the groups filed a legal petition urging EPA to curb emissions from aircraft.

The groups also alleged that in February, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recommended weak international standards, which do not meet US legal requirements.

"The US should lead the way to meaningful action on this source of emissions."

Earthjustice aircraft pollution legal expert Sarah Burt said: "Next month, President Obama will show his commitment to fighting climate change when he signs the Paris Climate Agreement, but the standards he is prepared to accept for carbon pollution from airplanes are embarrassingly low.

"There is an opportunity for Obama to continue his global leadership on climate change by advancing stronger protections.

"As the largest contributor to aircraft carbon pollution, the US should lead the way to meaningful action on this source of emissions."

Image: Pollution by airplanes is estimated to triple by 2050 without regulations. Photo: courtesy of pixtawan via FreeDigitalPhotos.net.