Reduced carbon dioxide emissions from cars
The European Environment Commissioner, Mrs Ritt Bjerregaard met with the President of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), Mr. Bernd Pischetsrieder, in Strasbourg on 10 March 1998, to discuss a new proposal for an environmental agreement on CO2 emissions from passenger cars. Under the proposal from the ACEA, the industry would undertake to reduce the average CO2 emissions of new cars to 140 grammes per kilometre by 2008. This is a higher level than the EU's target of 120 g/km, by 2010 at the latest, although it represents a 25% reduction on the 1995 base of 186 g/km. Other elements of the ACEA proposals include: - A review of the situation in 2002/2003 to evaluate the potential for further reductions by 2012; - No negative measures against diesel-powered cars; - Full availability of improved fuels by 2005, in particular with low sulphur content. The Commissioner welcomed the fact that ACEA had made a new proposal and stated that it would be examined by the Commission and would be discussed with the Member States at the Environment Council on 23 March 1998. Her opinion was that the new proposal was an improvement on the earlier proposal from ACEA in June 1997, which was rejected by the Commission and the Council, however she was not yet in a position to endorse it. At the Environment Council in December 1997, the Commission and Member States had shared the view that the discussions with ACEA had to be concluded soon and that the Commission should report back on the results at the next meeting on 23 March 1998.