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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/nov/10/emissions-trading-and-refrigerated-truck-engines-under-scrutiny
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Emissions trading and refrigerated truck engines under scrutiny | Emissions trading and refrigerated truck engines under scrutiny |
| (25 days later) | |
| Letters | Letters |
| Fri 10 Nov 2017 18.05 GMT | Fri 10 Nov 2017 18.05 GMT |
| Last modified on Wed 14 Feb 2018 17.34 GMT | |
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| While the EU is extolling its “climate leadership” at the UN climate talks in Bonn, in Brussels it has just agreed to prolong its emissions trading system – providing big polluters with billions of euros in subsidies. | While the EU is extolling its “climate leadership” at the UN climate talks in Bonn, in Brussels it has just agreed to prolong its emissions trading system – providing big polluters with billions of euros in subsidies. |
| Some EU member states could use a sizable chunk of these funds to carry on burning fossil fuels, with Poland, for instance, looking to prolong the lifespan of its ageing coal infrastructure. Using emissions trading revenues to extend the life of coal-fired power plants is extremely irresponsible and works directly against efforts to halt catastrophic climate change. | Some EU member states could use a sizable chunk of these funds to carry on burning fossil fuels, with Poland, for instance, looking to prolong the lifespan of its ageing coal infrastructure. Using emissions trading revenues to extend the life of coal-fired power plants is extremely irresponsible and works directly against efforts to halt catastrophic climate change. |
| But coal financing is just the tip of the iceberg. Emissions trading-linked subsidies to big polluters could reach close to €200bn between 2021 and 2030. The largest share of this figure represents free pollution permits handed out to steel and cement producers, helping them to delay the transition away from fossil fuel dependency. | But coal financing is just the tip of the iceberg. Emissions trading-linked subsidies to big polluters could reach close to €200bn between 2021 and 2030. The largest share of this figure represents free pollution permits handed out to steel and cement producers, helping them to delay the transition away from fossil fuel dependency. |
| Emissions trading benefits big polluters far more than it does the climate. With the conclusion of the negotiations between the EU commission, parliament and council, the EU has shown that it remains a long way from taking responsibility for its fair share of global climate action. | Emissions trading benefits big polluters far more than it does the climate. With the conclusion of the negotiations between the EU commission, parliament and council, the EU has shown that it remains a long way from taking responsibility for its fair share of global climate action. |
| Maxime Combes Attac FranceBelén Balanyá Corporate Europe ObservatoryJavier Andaluz Ecologistas en AcciónFrida Kieninger Food and Water EuropeClémence Hutin Friends of the Earth EuropeDorothy Grace Guerrero Global Justice NowJo Ram PlatformAntonio Tricarico Re:CommonLyda Fernanda Transnational Institute | Maxime Combes Attac FranceBelén Balanyá Corporate Europe ObservatoryJavier Andaluz Ecologistas en AcciónFrida Kieninger Food and Water EuropeClémence Hutin Friends of the Earth EuropeDorothy Grace Guerrero Global Justice NowJo Ram PlatformAntonio Tricarico Re:CommonLyda Fernanda Transnational Institute |
| • Chancellor Philip Hammond has a chance to use his autumn budget, on 22 November, to help tackle Britain’s toxic air crisis. Despite calls for change, the Treasury continues to subsidise certain highly polluting diesel engines, allowing them to burn red diesel. One example of this outdated subsidy supports the second engines that cold delivery trucks often have. Main diesel engines, used to propel the truck, are subject to increasingly tough Euro emission standards. | • Chancellor Philip Hammond has a chance to use his autumn budget, on 22 November, to help tackle Britain’s toxic air crisis. Despite calls for change, the Treasury continues to subsidise certain highly polluting diesel engines, allowing them to burn red diesel. One example of this outdated subsidy supports the second engines that cold delivery trucks often have. Main diesel engines, used to propel the truck, are subject to increasingly tough Euro emission standards. |
| But second engines, used to keep the back compartment cold while transporting food, are extremely weakly regulated, enabling them to emit six times as much nitrogen oxide and 29 times as much particulate matter as the main engine. | But second engines, used to keep the back compartment cold while transporting food, are extremely weakly regulated, enabling them to emit six times as much nitrogen oxide and 29 times as much particulate matter as the main engine. |
| But the Treasury subsidises the diesel for these second engines by £126m a year. The chancellor was right to announce a consultation into red diesel use earlier this year, and he must now end the diesel subsidies for a delivery truck’s second engine. Especially when zero-emission engines are affordably available on the market and could make an immediate positive impact on the air we breathe across the UK. | But the Treasury subsidises the diesel for these second engines by £126m a year. The chancellor was right to announce a consultation into red diesel use earlier this year, and he must now end the diesel subsidies for a delivery truck’s second engine. Especially when zero-emission engines are affordably available on the market and could make an immediate positive impact on the air we breathe across the UK. |
| Matthew Farrow Executive director, Environmental Industries Commission Tony Lewis Head of policy, Chartered Institute for Environmental Health Rob Wood CEO, GasRec Scott MacMeekin CEO, Dearman | Matthew Farrow Executive director, Environmental Industries Commission Tony Lewis Head of policy, Chartered Institute for Environmental Health Rob Wood CEO, GasRec Scott MacMeekin CEO, Dearman |
| • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com | • Join the debate – email guardian.letters@theguardian.com |
| • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters | • Read more Guardian letters – click here to visit gu.com/letters |
| Environment | Environment |
| Air pollution | Air pollution |
| United Nations | United Nations |
| Climate change | Climate change |
| European Union | European Union |
| Europe | Europe |
| letters | letters |
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