Brussels, 03/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - In the evening of 1 September, the industry, research and energy committee (ITRE) at the European Parliament adopted the opinion drawn up by Werner Langen (EPP-ED, Germany) on the draft regulation aimed at reducing CO2 emissions from new cars. The Greens, Socialists and NGOs such as Friends of the Earth Europe and T&E (European Federation for Transport and Environment) have condemned this adoption because they consider Mr Langen's opinion is both a step backwards on EU climate package commitments and a decision made in favour of the industry's interests. In a press release published on Tuesday 2 September, however, the Greens expressed hope that the EP's environment committee, due to give its verdict on Tuesday 9 September on this dossier on which it is the main protagonist, will back an approach that makes environmental aspects the priority rather than an approach aimed at appeasing industry.
The draft regulation presented by the European Commission last December, aims to bring average CO2 emissions from new cars to a level of 160 grams (currently 120 grams) per kilometre by 2012. The opinion adopted by ITRE, however, considers that some flexibility is required so that manufacturers have the necessary time to implement alternative replacement solutions. The committee believes that the 120g CO2/km target should be phased in over several years and not be introduced within a given deadline. It is therefore proposing that in 2012 a quarter, in 2013 half, in 2014 three-quarters and in 2015 all of a manufacturer's new cars should meet the 120g CO2/km target. The Greens decry the fact that his would mean an average of only 150g CO2/kg being reached in 2012 - 8g less than the current level.
ITRE also considers that the fines proposed by the Commission for non-compliance with the regulation (between €100 and €475 per tonne of CO2) are not compatible with conceivable prices for CO2 certificates in the industry and energy sector. In other words, sanctions should not be aimed at weakening the sector's capacity for innovation but should rather aim at encouraging measures or funding replacement measures that guarantee the level of emission reduction sought is attained. ITRE considers that sanctions of between €10 and €40 per gram of CO2 for new passenger cars (which corresponds to a price per tonne of €200) should help facilitate this result. It also considers that consumer information and competition between manufacturers will exert much greater pressure on manufacturers to respect the planned value limits. In this respect, the Greens consider that for many manufacturers, paying the fines would be much more profitable that investing in the technological modifications that would enable them to meet their obligations.
The Socialists regretted adoption of Mr Langen's opinion but did, however, welcome the unanimous agreement of MEPs on the adoption of a 95g CO2/kg target by 2020. In a press release, Pierre Pribetich (PES, France) said that “this ambitious target will allow the EU to move in the direction of taking environmental interests better into account in the medium and long term”. Although the Greens do not dispute the good basis underpinning this target, they do stress that the result of the vote demonstrates that most ITRE committee members find it much easier to promise big changes in the future than make the first important steps to reach the target in question. Mr Pribetich also welcomed the support from the parliamentary committee for his initiative to create a European ecological bonus for consumers and encourage them to replace their vehicles which are over ten years old with a new one. This will be entirely financed by European manufacturers that go above their CO2 emissions target. It will cost consumers nothing and allow for the ageing supply of European cars to be renewed - which is proving a “real Achilles' heel in the fight against CO2 emissions”. (O.L./transl.rh)