Apart from a few technical clarifications, little progress was made at the Council of the EU's working group on the draft regulation of 17 May 2018 on introducing for the first time CO2 emissions reduction rules for heavy vehicles. But the Austrian Presidency has already identified the main political issues to be settled, although most delegations have not yet set their definitive position, whilst some delegations have called for more ambitious targets.
The proposal on the table aims at a 15% emissions reduction by 2025 compared to the 2019 level as a binding target and at least 30% by 2030 as an indicative target to be reviewed in 2022 (see EUROPE 12022). Seventeen of the twenty-eight delegations might support a 40% reduction for 2030.
It is clear that the level of ambition of the proposed objectives and the system of incentives for zero or low-emissions vehicles will need to be taken to ministerial level.
A policy debate is planned at the Environment Council in Luxembourg on 9 October, based on a questionnaire that was endorsed on Wednesday 26 September by national ambassadors to the EU (Coreper).
The ministers will be asked the following two questions: - Do you agree with the approach of the Commission proposal as regards a binding 2025 target and an aspirational 2030 target combined with the review mechanism? Do you consider that the proposed targets provide the appropriate level of ambition?; - In your view, is the proposed system of super credits adequate for providing incentives for zero- and low-emission vehicles, including categories of vehicles which are not subject to the CO2 targets? If not, have you considered alternative approaches?
Time is running out because at the European Parliament, the environment committee will express its views on 18 October on the ambitious report published at the end of August by Dutch MEP Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA) (see EUROPE 12086). (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)