Report

Reducing CO2 Emissions from New Cars: A Study of Major Car Manufacturers’ Progress in 2006

November 14, 2007

Analysis of fleet-average CO2 emissions reductions made by major car producers in 2006, based on official EU sales data.

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The European Union is committed under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 8 per cent by 2008-2012 compared to the 1990 level. In March 2007 EU leaders committed to a 20-30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions overall by 2020.

Transport is the worst performing sector under ‘Kyoto’ and seriously jeopardises the achievement of the targets. Transport CO₂ emissions in the EU grew by 32% between 1990 and 2005. Other sectors reduced their emissions by 9.5% on average over the same period. The share of transport in CO₂ emissions was 21% in 1990, but by 2005 this had grown to 27%. Emissions from so-called ‘light duty vehicles’ (passenger cars and vans) are responsible for approximately half of this.

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