Cutting the Cut
October 25, 2007
Environmental groups reacted with fury to the vote on Wednesday, Oct. 24, which backed a target of 125 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer by 2015.
Current European targets, established in 1994, mandate that total emissions across the EU should not exceed an average of 120 per kilometer (0.6 miles) per car by 2012.
Earlier this year, the European Commission -- the EU's executive -- suggested that the target should be raised to 130 grams by 2012. The European Parliament's environmental committee countered by proposing that the limit should remain at the "120 by 2012" level.
But on Wednesday, the full session of parliament backed the weakened suggestion of 125 grams, arguing that the new target would give automobile manufacturers time to adapt. However, the decision effectively reduces annual reduction targets by an estimated 40 percent.
"Making cars more fuel efficient is one of the most important steps Europe can take to cut emissions, reduce oil dependency and cut fuel costs, yet MEPs [members of the European Parliament] seem to have lost their nerve," Aat Peterse of environmental think-tank Transport and Environment (T&E) told reporters after the vote.
"This result is a massive setback for overall EU climate policy... MEPs have voted to put the brakes on the EU's attempts to tackle climate change," leading Green MEP Rebecca Harms added.
Delay for auto industry dismissed by environmentalists
The argument for giving the automotive industry more time to adapt its models to the EU target got short shrift from environmentalists.
"The 120 target was first announced in 1994 -- that's 13 years or at least two complete vehicle development cycles. The technology has already been developed, carmakers won't start using it to its full potential until the regulation comes in, that's why a further delay is incomprehensible," T&E spokesman Dudley Curtis said.
But liberal and conservative MEPs backed the move, saying that it showed a "realistic" appreciation of the challenges facing industry.
Supporters say climate fight must not affect economies
"Ambitious carbon-dioxide reductions are necessary for the EU to make its contribution to the fight against climate change. However, they should not harm the European, and particularly the German economy, but should be an incentive to technological leadership," said German MEP Karl-Heinz Florenz, a Christian Democrat.
"Whoever demands politically tight limits and more efficient cars should consider the industry's development and production cycles over five to seven years," added MEP Holger Krahmer a member of Germany's free market liberal FDP. "Sports and all-terrain cars produce more carbon dioxide than average, but there are so few of them on the roads that their contribution to total emissions is minimal."
The proposal agreed on by the European Parliament must now go to the Council of EU member states for further consideration. The European Commission will then produce a proposal for EU-wide legislation on the issue, based on, but not necessarily dictated by, the opinions of parliament and the Council.
The decision may be seen as dealing a substantial blow to the EU's efforts to curb global warming, but it could be even more damaging to the climate change campaign championed by German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Merkel's climate crusade hit on EU, domestic level
During Germany's dual presidencies of the European Union and G8, Merkel put environmental policies at the top of her agenda. Despite relinquishing the EU reins in July, Merkel has continued to campaign on green issues around the world.
Many of the policies being debated on the EU environmental agenda were put there during the German presidency. Consequently, those which are being diluted and thrown out are policies Merkel battled to get there in the first place, including the CO2 emissions target.
Merkel's climate crusade is not only being undermined on the European front but also domestically, with ministers constantly fighting over the cost and viability of the "Integrated Energy and Climate Program," the framework Merkel wants to establish to implement her ambitious goals.
Cabinet members disagree on almost every element of the project that the chancellor wants established to make Germany a world leader in cutting CO2 levels. The EU decision on car emissions is unlikely to ease the pressure at home.