India asked its airlines to boycott the European Union's climate scheme last week, joining China in refusing to comply with the EU's carbon charge plan. "Though the European Union has directed Indian carriers to submit emissions details of their aircraft by March 31, 2012, no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the government," said Ajit Singh, India's civil aviation minister. Critics of the plan, including the United States and South Africa as well as nations that have refused to comply, have said that the EU is exceeding its jurisdiction by charging for entire flights rather than just the part covering European airspace. China banned airlines in February from participating in the scheme and suspended $14 billion worth of jets from Airbus. Though the law took effect January 1, none of the airlines face charges until next year when their emissions have been calculated. They will also receive allowances to handle most of the costs. The cost of compliance is estimated at roughly 2 euros per passenger for a flight from Shanghai to Frankfurt, though it could make flights up to 12 euros more expensive per passenger, and the penalties start at 100 euros per ton of carbon for which the airlines fail to pay. Climate commissioner Connie Hedegaard has said that the EU created its policy because the United Nations' plan to curb aviation emissions failed. Hedegaard has promised to stand by the EU's law unless the United Nation's International Civil Aviation Organization can come up with a plan. For the full story, see http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/23/uk-india-eu-emissions-idUSLNE82L02220120323 and http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17485738.