Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has written to three Irish government ministers calling for reform of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) during Ireland's presidency of the European Council. In letters released under freedom of information, O'Leary described the ETS as a 'failed' scheme that creates an 'indefensible' competitive distortion for short-haul European airlines like Ryanair. The airline argues that the current carbon trading system puts European carriers at a disadvantage compared to non-EU competitors. The ETS is the world's largest cap-and-trade market for emissions permits, covering major corporate polluters. Ryanair's lobbying push comes as the EU reviews its carbon pricing mechanisms. The article raises questions about whether the ETS needs adjustments for aviation specifically, or if the system's design inherently disadvantages certain business models. This is worth reading for anyone tracking carbon market reform debates in Europe.
