Frederico Curado, Embraer president and CEO, called on the aviation industry during a luncheon speech to The Wings Club on Tuesday at EBACE 2012 in Geneva to work collectively against environmental charges. He said the industry is making more efficient aircraft and “should send the message clearly that we’re not the bad guys here” when it comes to the environment.

While business aircraft operators tear their hair out trying to comply with the European Union’s controversial emissions trading scheme, the issue is threatening to escalate into a full-blown trade war. But an EBACE panel on ETS here in Geneva yesterday heard that the EU appears to have no intention in backing down, with the discussion underscoring the vast gulf between the aims of the carbon cap-and-trade policy and the realities of compliance.