US House votes against compliance with EU’s emissions law

Washington: US passenger and cargo airlines may now be protected from a European law making carriers worldwide pay for carbon emissions under legislation approved by the House of Representatives on Monday.

The European Union's unilateral action has been fiercely opposed by carriers, travel groups, labour and a number of countries. US lawmakers sad their action was meant to be a strong message for the EU.

"We made it clear that the United States would pursue the matter," House Transportation Committee chairman John Mica told reporters. 

Mica had discussed the issue with EU officials last week in Montreal, and had described the initiative as "a taxing scheme" and a violation of international law and trade treaties.

European officials offered no comments on developments in the US Congress.

Though there was bipartisan support for action in the Republican-led House, several Democratic dissenters praised Europe's effort to "take climate change seriously" and urged the bill's defeat.