On April 26, European Union Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said the EU will assess whether a recent modification to China's air passenger charges, replacing passenger fees paid into an airport construction fund with fees paid into a civil aviation development fund, would exempt Chinese airlines from the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). EU directive (2008/101/EC), stipulates that all airlines operating within the European Union must obtain enough carbon allowances to cover their greenhouse gas emissions, unless they demonstrate comparable measures in their home nation. The modification to Chinese air passenger charges would send payments to a fund that can be spent on energy conservation and emission reductions, as well as other non-emissions programs.