The European Union's executive body recommended Monday freezing for one year implementation of a program that will require airlines to hold permits to cover their greenhouse-gas emissions.

The move, announced by the EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard, is a major step toward easing tensions over a plan that has attracted strong opposition from major economies, including the U.S. , China and India .

The proposal--which will require the backing of EU member countries and the European Parliament before becoming enforceable--follows progress last week at a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization toward a global agreement on how to regulate carbon dioxide emissions internationally.

The plan would freeze implementation of the program until the next key ICAO meeting in the fall of 2013.

Airlines will still be required to account for their emissions from intra-EU flights, but not for flights to and from non-EU countries, Ms. Hedegaard said.

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