Commission invites car industry to talks on reducing CO2 emissions
Mrs. Ritt Bjerregaard and Mr. Martin Bangemann, European Commissioners responsible for the environment and industry respectively, have invited the European automobile industry to open discussions on a commitment by the industry to reduce the fuel consumption of its models. The Commissioners believe that the current growth in CO2 emissions is jeopardizing the Community's objective of significantly reducing fuel consumption by the year 2005. Acknowledging that the industry has already made several commitments to reduce CO2 emissions, the Commissioners would like to conclude an agreement at European level on the improvement of vehicle fuel efficiency, as well as improved consumer information and the possible incorporation of fuel efficiency in a future initiative on vehicle taxation.