EU appeals to China to negotiate emissions deal

BEIJING

A European envoy has appealed to China to help negotiate a global agreement to regulate airline emissions and end a standoff over Europe's system.

The European Union aviation director, Matthew Baldwin, said Wednesday that talks on a possible global system have started in the International Civil Aviation Organization, a U.N. body.

He said Europe would be willing to consider changing its own system -- which China, the United States and other governments oppose -- if a global agreement is reached.

Europe's emissions trading system took effect Jan. 1 and is aimed at limiting emissions of climate-changing gases by requiring airlines to buy emissions permits.

Beijing has barred its carriers from cooperating, setting up a possible trade conflict.