Brussels, 06/02/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is due to adopt its long-awaited revised strategy for reducing atmospheric pollution by the automobile sector on 7 February. This sector is responsible for more than one fifth of all CO2 emissions in the EU. The adoption of this strategy had been delayed by dissensions between Commissioner for the Environment Stavros Dimas, who is determined to legislate to reduce CO2 emissions from cars more drastically, and his colleague for Industry Günter Verheugen, who is opposed to binding objectives out of concern for maintaining the competitiveness of the automobile industry (EUROPE 9351 and 9350). This was the climax of intense controversy, fuelled by Germany - from its car manufacturers to the federal government (EUROPE 9354) - and the text will necessarily be a compromise.
The communication will highlight the progress made since 1998 in terms of reducing CO2 emissions from cars, and will list the measures planned to achieve further progress over the next few years by staying on the same course.
Recourse to legislation is now a given, the Commission having officially resolved to force car manufacturers to achieve the objective they committed to in a voluntary agreement in 1998/1999 , but which seems to have been insufficient to produce the anticipated results in the time required - an average CO2 emission level of 140 g/km per new car by 2008 for the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), by 2009 for Japanese (JAMA) and Korean manufacturers (KAMA), with the longer term EU objective of 120 g/km per new car by 2012.
However, the legislative proposal will be presented later in the year (before or after the summer break? Nobody knows yet) to enable the European Commission to carry out an impact assessment of such legislation in the meantime. Either way, this legislation will target the efforts of the automobile industry and other actors, counting on the benefits of the contribution of fuels and technology (improved tyres, gear boxes, etc) to combating air pollution.
Johannes Laitenberger, a Commission spokesperson, confirmed this to the press on 6 February, saying: “The objective remains 120 grams of CO2 by 2012. The major part of the effort will need to be provided by the manufacturers of new vehicles. The rest will be from other sources. We are close to our goal thanks to the contribution of all the parties involved”. He added: “the Commission is well on its way to adopting the most ambitious approach ever adopted. Nothing is decided yet. President José Manuel Barroso has worked intensively with Commissioners Verheugen and Dimas. The approach under consideration enjoys increasing support from the Commission. It aims to insert aspects on climate protection, preserving the competitiveness of the industry, and exploring the EU's innovative potential”. Asked about the chances of a unanimous decision from the College, Mr Laitenberger spoke of a “growing consensus”, allowing hope for a “solid decision”. (an)