EU plans to curb transport CO 2

The European Union (EU) has outlined a plan to halve anticipated growth in emissions of carbon dioxide from the transport sector, with road traffic being the main target. The EU said the scheme is in line with the commitment it made at the Kyoto climate change conference in December (OGJ, Dec. 15, 1997, p. 17). Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock highlighted four main ways of achieving the target: improved fuel economy of passenger cars, reduced rail prices, completion of an internal rail

April 20, 1998

2 min read

Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock highlighted four main ways of achieving the target: improved fuel economy of passenger cars, reduced rail prices, completion of an internal rail transport market, and improved integration of freight and passenger transport.

Kinnock hopes EU ministers will begin to debate the proposals at an informal transport and environment council meeting later this month and agree on policy at a formal meeting in June.

The EU says that, without coordinated action across Europe, CO₂ emissions from transport in the region will increase to 40% of overall emissions by 2010 from 26% today. But new technologies and increased efficiency in the overall transport system could prevent that from happening.

"Beyond 2010," said the EU, "the large-scale introduction ofellipsehybrid cars, fuels cells, and alternative fuels will significantly cut emissions levels. The solution lies in technical improvements and consumers choosing lower-consumption vehicles."

The Transport Commission aims to reduce CO₂ emissions to an average 120 grams/km by 2010 for all new cars.

The EU is working with the European Automobile Manufacturers Association on a plan to reduce average CO₂ emissions to 140 grams/km by 2009.