Europe’s automobile manufacturers will come under renewed pressure to reduce the carbon dioxide emissions of their vehicle models if an amendment to a European Union (EU) global warming regulation is carried.
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It has been tabled by the European Parliament’s environment committee which wants EU member states to face strict fines for flouting national reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions from certain sources not covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS).
Crucially, under proposals made earlier this year by the European Commission, these sectors include road transport (plus food, buildings, shipping and services).
In a vote on this proposed ‘effort-sharing’ measure yesterday (Tuesday 7 October), the committee backed national targets proposed by the Commission that would reduce by 10% CO2 pollution from these sectors during 2013-2020. MEPs also called for targets halving emissions by 2035.
If also backed by the full parliament in December, and later (as expected) by EU ministers, these targets would become binding. Breaking them would trigger fines on erring EU governments.
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By GlobalDataPenalties could be big: EUR100 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted over the target. If a government refused to pay, the excess emissions would be deducted from the Emissions Trading System allowances that they would otherwise auction, with Brussels selling them instead and pocketing the proceeds.
A committee communiqué said: “Member states should face strict fines and sanctions if they fail to meet national reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions from such sources.”
It added that road, food, construction, shipping and services currently account for about 60% of EU ‘greenhouse gas’ emissions. These sectors have not been covered by the emission trading system because their complicated structures make it hard to allot responsibility for emissions: as regards transport – is it the driver, the manufacturer, the distributor, the fleet manager or the fuel supplier?
As a result, the ‘effort-sharing’ proposals would allow member states flexibility to decide how they would force transport and the other sectors to reduce CO2 emissions.
Committee members said the fines were needed to make sure governments actually try.
Keith Nuthall
