Earth & Environment - Posted by Jessica Kelly-Cardiff on Monday, May 24, 2010 12:00 - 0 Comments 
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(3 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5) Loading ...Europe’s emissions target misses the mark
A goal of reducing car CO2 emissions to 95 grams per kilometer by 2020 doesn't go far enough to protect the environment, according to a new report, which says the European Union should aim for a lower target of 80 g/km. (Credit: iStockphoto)
CARDIFF U. (UK) —The European Union goal of reducing car CO2 emissions to 95 grams per kilometre by 2020 is not sufficiently ambitious, according to a new report.
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The text of this article by Futurity is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivatives License.
A lower target of 80 grams per kilometer can easily be achieved, by a combination of new technology, weight reduction, performance reduction, and downsizing, say researchers at Cardiff University.
The current target is to limit CO2 emissions from new cars to 95 g/km by 2020. A review of the legislation is scheduled no later than the end of 2012, to agree how carmakers should reach the target.
Transport is considered to be the sector with the fastest growing greenhouse gas emissions in the EU.
Under EU legislation adopted in 2009, the average passenger car sold in 2015 should comply with a CO2 target of 130 grams per kilometre (g/km).
“If the automotive industry starts to act now, it has 10 years and considerable strategic flexibility to achieve a managed transition towards low-CO2 mobility,” says Peter Wells.
“All the evidence on climate change suggests our response must be stronger and faster than previously thought. This report shows that the automotive industry can, and should, do more.”
Greenpeace EU transport policy advisor Franziska Achterberg says: “EU industry ministers are right to see clean vehicle technology as a way of maintaining the competitiveness of the European car sector.
“They should recognize that the single most important EU measure to achieve this is ambitious legislation. Stronger fuel efficiency standards will help the sector reduce its carbon footprint while maintaining a level playing field.”
The report was commissioned by Greenpeace International.
More news from Cardiff University: www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/
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