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Reactions to EU plans to cut CO2 emissions |
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On Wednesday, the European Commission proposed binding rules to cut down CO2 emissions from new cars to 120 g/km by 2012. Check out how the car industry, policymakers, and environmentalists saw the news.
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2007-02-09
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The proposed legislation by mid-2008 latest will require carmakers to achieve a CO2 emissions reduction to 130 g/km by improved motor vehicle technology. Other technological improvements and an increased use of biofuels will make up for the remaining 10 g/km.
This compromise evoked diverse reactions from stakeholders. While Commission officials defended the move, the European car industry and green NGO's widely criticised the communication.
Car industry: "Targets are arbitrary and too severe"
Sergio Marchionne, President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA): "The ideas put forward focus too much on vehicle technology. The car industry does not want to be part of an experiment. If left unchanged, the Commission proposal will erode the economic strength of Europe. It will lead to a loss of jobs and the relocation of production outside the EU."
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Wil Botman, Director of the General Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA): "To be most efficient the European strategy needs to become more comprehensive. Achieving sustainable motoring has to be a shared responsibility between industry, policy makers and mobile consumers."
Policymakers: "A chance for innovation"
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José Manuel Barroso, European Commission President: "This strategy is the most ambitious approach ever and the most ambitious approach worldwide towards the development of a low-carbon economy. It is the concrete proof of EU leadership in the field."
Stavros Dimas, Environment Commissioner: "Cleaner, more efficient and affordable cars will help reduce carbon dioxide in the EU, enable us to achieve our Kyoto targets, save energy and encourage innovation."
Günter Verheugen, Enterprise Commissioner: "The motor industry faces a major challenge. I would urge them to face up to it and not consider it a burden but consider it a positive challenge."
Paul Rübig, Spokesman of the European Parliament: "This is a strategy that can boost our economy, create new jobs and make Europe's car industry the global number one."
NGOs: "A very disappointing response"
Jos Dings, Director of the environmental NGO Transport & Environment (T&E): "Not only is the car industry failing on its voluntary commitment to cut CO2 emissions, the Commission now wants to reward this failure with a weaker fuel-efficiency target. It's a very disappointing response to calls last week by the IPCC for serious action on climate change."
John Hontelez, Secretary General of the European Environmental Bureau (EEB): "The Commission has rewarded carmakers' refusal to make fuel efficiency a priority with a more lenient standard than is needed to stop the continuing growth of greenhouse-gas emissions from cars in Europe."
Tony Bosworth, Friends of the Earth: "The [original] 120g/km target is feasible. Some new technology might be needed, but car manufacturers need to make best use of existing technology."
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More information:
 Commission Proposal to reduce CO2 emissions from cars, 7 January, 2007 (21 KB)
Press Release ACEA (21 KB)
› Press Release FIA
› Press Release Transport & Environment
› See our related news from 7 January, 2007
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