European parliament votes to crack down on gas guzzlers

MEPs from the environment committee of the European Parliament have unexpectedly backed legislation which would dramatically cut the amount of CO2 passenger cars are allowed to emit.

MEPs resisted strong pressure from the car industry to support most of the proposed measures, under which car manufacturers would be forced to limit emissions to 130g CO2/km by 2015. MEPs also agreed to set a long term target of reducing vehicle emissions to 95g CO2/km by 2020. The current EU average is 158g CO2/km.

Reacting to the news, Greenpeace Senior Transport campaigner Anita Goldsmith said:

"This vote sends a powerful message to Europe's car makers that they need to completely rethink the way they do business to deal with the threat posed by climate change. Those that adapt to the new rules with enthusiasm and innovation will thrive, while those that cling to the engines and ideas of the 20^th century will lose out."

"We now need to see these targets tightened up over the next few years, and in the short term it's vital that ministers work together to make this proposal a reality."

MEPs were congratulated for rejecting calls to delay the proposed 2012 target and to weaken penalties for non- compliance. The environment committee also voted to go beyond the original proposal by introducing a second target in 2020, subject to a review. Greenpeace is now calling on EU ministers to respect the Parliament's decision and support effective legislation to limit emissions from cars and protect the climate.

Notes to editors:

(1) The European Commission last year put forward a proposal to cut emissions from passenger vehicles to 130g CO2/km by 2012. The current EU average is 158g CO2/km. The environment committee effectively backed up that proposal in a vote today, and also approved a non-binding target of "no more than" 95g CO2/km for 2020, subject to a review in 2014. The final text will now be negotiated between the Parliament, EU environment ministers and the European Commission.

Contacts:

Greenpeace Press office - 0207 865 8255