Commission may impose compulsory CO2 targets to follow voluntary agreement
Wed 20 September 2006
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The European Commission is planning to tell EU countries that energy bills and CO2 emissions can be cut dramatically if they follow the recommendations of an energy efficiency action plan due to be released shortly. The plan is expected to call for a mandatory approach to CO2 emissions from cars if the voluntary agreement fails to deliver the 2008 targets.
The draft document has been obtained by EurActiv, an independent media portal devoted to EU affairs.
Other initiatives mentioned in the draft plan for cutting energy use in road transport include: a new framework directive on energy-efficiency in transport; incentives for hybrid and fuel cell cars; differentiated excise duty rates according to fuel efficiency; car sharing schemes; road pricing/congestion taxes; speed control limiters; progressive insurance premiums; modal shift in urban areas; traffic optimisation using new technology; state aid for eco-design by manufacturers, and; the promotion of flex fuel cars that can run on a higher mix of biofuels.
The Commission is expected to tell EU countries that they can cut their energy bill by a total of 40 billion Euros annually from 2012 if they follow the recommendations of the Commission's energy-efficiency action plan. The draft documents says that the plan would also reduce CO2 emissions by 180 million tonnes annually and help the EU meet its Kyoto climate targets.
Meanwhile, in a letter to the Financial Times, nine former environment ministers - including John Gummer from the UK - have called on the EC to "do what is neccessary to ensure that EU countries carmakers and importers reach the 120g CO2/km target by 2010, as well as other targets beyond that date."
Their letter says: "Serious and legally binding fuel-efficiency standards for cars are one of the most important steps that can and should be taken at EU level...We consider it is wiser to invest Europe’s limited resources in advanced fuel-efficient technology than to invest in oil burned unnecessarily in car engines."
Related Links
EurActiv news link
FT - environment ministers letter link
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