EU environment ministers’ debate on aviation and car emissions – T&E reaction

[mailchimp_signup][/mailchimp_signup]Jos Dings, director of T&E said: “Not a single minister acknowledged today that other measures like fuel taxes will be needed if Europe is serious about reducing the climate change impact of aviation. The Commission’s plan will only cut CO₂ by 3 per cent, equivalent to one year’s growth of emissions.”

“A number of ministers seemed more interested in preserving cheap flights to tourist destinations than in making a serious contribution to the fight against climate change.”

On cars, T&E welcomed the almost unanimous support from ministers for binding legislation on fuel efficiency. But only ministers from Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands sided with the European Parliament by recognising that a long-standing EU target for new cars should not be weakened. The Commission has proposed that the 120 grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometer target for the average new car by 2012 should be watered down with other measures such as use of biofuels.

Similarly only Denmark, The Netherlands and the UK today recognised the need for longer term targets beyond 2012.

Jos Dings commented: “Climate change is a long term challenge, and so is carmaking. Yet only a handful of countries recognised the need for long term action today. The Netherlands called for car fuel efficiency to be doubled by 2020. We hope other countries will follow their example.”

Download T&E’s letter to environment ministers.