Crucial test for Commission on CO2 from cars

2.11.45pm GMT Tue 6th Feb 2007

The European Commission's plans for cutting CO2 emissions from cars (expected tomorrow) will be a crucial test of its commitment to tackle climate change, says Chris Davies (UK, LibDem) ALDE environment spokesman in the European Parliament.

He commented: "Behind the scenes Commissioners have been fighting like rats in a bag, with motor industry lobbyists doing their very best to prevent the adoption of tough targets for CO2 reductions.

"But last week's frightening IPCC report has changed the ground rules. The test for the Commission is whether it will make clear its determination to meet the challenge of climate change, or back down in the face of business pressure."

Last week a hearing organised by Chris Davies in the European Parliament heard from experts who claimed that a 25% average reduction in C02 reductions from new cars could be achieved at an increased cost of just €300 per vehicle.

Graham Watson, ALDE group leader, also considers this legislation as a test of the Commission's commitment to tackle climate change. "It is not enough to just play around with fuel quality, not least because of the unintended environmental consequences of turning over vast areas of forest or agricultural land to bio-fuels. We do need to invest in more efficient motor engines. The basic principle of the internal combustion engine has not changed fundamentally in a hundred years, but our climate has."

"If the car industry is not prepared to invest in cleaner technologies then we will soon have to resort to more drastic measures to reduce traffic related congestion and pollution in our cities which are already at saturation point."