Europe mulls mandatory emissions limits for cars
New Scientist is saying Europe mulls mandatory emissions limits for cars.
The European Union’s Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, would like to see a new EU law requiring European, Japanese and Korean car makers to keep emissions from new passenger cars to an average of 120 grams per kilometre from 2012. Different sized cars will have different targets.
Cars [in the EU] currently emit an average of 160 grams of greenhouse gases for each kilometre they travel. In 1999, the EC recommended that European, Japanese and Korean car makers voluntarily limit their emissions to 140 grams per kilometre travelled by 2009.
The aim was to cut emissions from new cars in Europe to 25% of 1995 levels. But the EC says car manufacturers have only reached 12%, which is “not satisfactory”.
25% is a start but it’s not going to save the world. We need to eliminate carbon emissions completely, either by reduction, or by offset. Measure, reduce then offset should be the mantra. — DS
Technorati Tags: climate change, emissions reduction, EU, global warming, cars
