This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/6334327.stm
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Car firms facing pollution curbs | Car firms facing pollution curbs |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The European Commission has proposed to force carmakers to make an 18% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2012, by improving vehicle technology. | The European Commission has proposed to force carmakers to make an 18% cut in CO2 emissions from new cars by 2012, by improving vehicle technology. |
| Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said legislation was planned to ensure the average car emitted no more than 130g of CO2 per kilometre. | Industry Commissioner Guenter Verheugen said legislation was planned to ensure the average car emitted no more than 130g of CO2 per kilometre. |
| The average level for new cars in 2005 was 162g per kilometre. | The average level for new cars in 2005 was 162g per kilometre. |
| The car industry has warned that the commission's plans could lead to job losses and factory closures. | The car industry has warned that the commission's plans could lead to job losses and factory closures. |
| We will shortly be in a position to provide not only the safest and best cars, but also the cleanest cars - that is the future of the European automobile industry Industry commissioner Guenter Verheugen class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5444&edition=1">Send us your comments But Mr Verheugen said the EU's approach must not lead to a shift of production abroad, or to European consumers being forced to buy smaller cars from non-European manufacturers. | |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| He added: "We will shortly be in a position to provide not only the safest and best cars, but also the cleanest cars - that is the future of the European automobile industry." | He added: "We will shortly be in a position to provide not only the safest and best cars, but also the cleanest cars - that is the future of the European automobile industry." |
| Missed targets | Missed targets |
| Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that without the action the commission was proposing, the European Union would not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets under the Kyoto treaty, or any post-Kyoto commitments. | Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said that without the action the commission was proposing, the European Union would not meet its greenhouse gas emission targets under the Kyoto treaty, or any post-Kyoto commitments. |
| The commissioners assured the industry that the 130g/km average would not apply to each individual manufacturer, but to the industry as a whole. | The commissioners assured the industry that the 130g/km average would not apply to each individual manufacturer, but to the industry as a whole. |
| CO2 fight only beginning Carmakers fail green test They said the precise definition of the regulatory approach would be decided later. | CO2 fight only beginning Carmakers fail green test They said the precise definition of the regulatory approach would be decided later. |
| Mr Dimas had wanted an upper limit of 120g/km but was forced to compromise, after strong opposition from the German car industry and from his fellow commissioner, Mr Verheugen. | Mr Dimas had wanted an upper limit of 120g/km but was forced to compromise, after strong opposition from the German car industry and from his fellow commissioner, Mr Verheugen. |
| The commissioners said their proposal envisaged the target of 130g/km being reached by the use of new car technology, but further measures, including increased use of biofuel, would mean that cars overall emitted no more than 120g of CO2 per kilometre by 2012. | The commissioners said their proposal envisaged the target of 130g/km being reached by the use of new car technology, but further measures, including increased use of biofuel, would mean that cars overall emitted no more than 120g of CO2 per kilometre by 2012. |
| European carmakers agreed in 1998 to aim for average emissions of 140g/km by 2008/9, but are no longer expected to meet this target. | European carmakers agreed in 1998 to aim for average emissions of 140g/km by 2008/9, but are no longer expected to meet this target. |
| The EU originally wanted to get emissions under 120g/km by 2005, but the deadline slipped to 2012. This target was reaffirmed by EU leaders at a summit last year. | The EU originally wanted to get emissions under 120g/km by 2005, but the deadline slipped to 2012. This target was reaffirmed by EU leaders at a summit last year. |
| 'Disappointing' | 'Disappointing' |
| Jos Dings of the environmental pressure group Transport and Environment (T&E) said the 130g/km limit was a disappointing response to the calls last week by a UN panel of experts for serious action on climate change. | Jos Dings of the environmental pressure group Transport and Environment (T&E) said the 130g/km limit was a disappointing response to the calls last week by a UN panel of experts for serious action on climate change. |
| He said the commission's choice of a 130g/km fuel-efficiency target, rather than Mr Dimas' preferred 120g/km, was a "reward" to the car industry for failing to meet its voluntary goals. | He said the commission's choice of a 130g/km fuel-efficiency target, rather than Mr Dimas' preferred 120g/km, was a "reward" to the car industry for failing to meet its voluntary goals. |
| AVERAGE CAR C02 EMISSIONS 1995: 185g/km2005: 162g/km2008 target: 140g/km2012 target (European Commission): 130g/km2020 target (proposed by T&E): 80g/km He called for the EU to fix an 80g/km limit for 2020. | AVERAGE CAR C02 EMISSIONS 1995: 185g/km2005: 162g/km2008 target: 140g/km2012 target (European Commission): 130g/km2020 target (proposed by T&E): 80g/km He called for the EU to fix an 80g/km limit for 2020. |
| The European car industry says consumers have so far shown little interest in cars with smaller engines and lower emissions. | The European car industry says consumers have so far shown little interest in cars with smaller engines and lower emissions. |
| It also says there are more cost-efficient ways of reducing transport emissions than introducing costly new technology, such as reducing traffic congestion and changing driver behaviour. | It also says there are more cost-efficient ways of reducing transport emissions than introducing costly new technology, such as reducing traffic congestion and changing driver behaviour. |
| Transport is the only sector in Europe that has shown dramatic increases in CO2 emissions over the last 15 years. | Transport is the only sector in Europe that has shown dramatic increases in CO2 emissions over the last 15 years. |
| The car industry has made huge improvements in engine efficiency, but the power, size and weight have cars have also increased rapidly. | The car industry has made huge improvements in engine efficiency, but the power, size and weight have cars have also increased rapidly. |
| As a result, CO2 emissions have only fallen by 23g/km from the 1995 level of 185g/km. | As a result, CO2 emissions have only fallen by 23g/km from the 1995 level of 185g/km. |
| Mr Verheugen said a detailed impact assessment would be carried out, and that discussions would continue with scientists, research institutes, manufacturers and other interested parties. | Mr Verheugen said a detailed impact assessment would be carried out, and that discussions would continue with scientists, research institutes, manufacturers and other interested parties. |