The European Commission will hold a public hearing on 11 July 2007 on the implementation of its new strategy to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars and vans sold in the European Union. The new strategy, proposed in February 2007, aims to reach the EU objective of 120 g/km average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars by 2012 by means of an integrated approach. The public hearing seeks to gather views and ideas from all interested stakeholders on the possible options available for designing the various legislative components of the integrated approach.
Road transport generates about one fifth of the EU’s CO2 emissions, with passenger cars responsible for around 12%. Although recent years have seen a significant improvement in vehicle technology – particularly in fuel efficiency, which translates into lower CO2 emissions – this has not been enough to neutralise the effect of increases in traffic and car size. While the EU-25 reduced overall emissions of greenhouse gases by almost 5% between 1990 and 2004, CO2 emissions from road transport rose by 26% despite an average new-car CO2 emissions reduction of 12.4% between 1995 and 2004.
The European Commission is committed to addressing these rising emissions. In this context, on 7 February 2007, it published two communications on the future strategy to reduce CO2 emission from cars[1] and on the future regulatory framework in the car sector[2]. As outlined in these communications, the Commission has decided to pursue an integrated approach with a view to reaching the EU objective of 120 g/km average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars by 2012.
This public hearing brings together the key stakeholders to gather views on the implementation of the Commission’s proposed strategy and to receive input and ideas on the possible options available for designing the future legislative framework, including the economic, social and environmental aspects of these options. An internet based public consultation will continue to run until 15 July 2007.
The meeting will take place in the Charlemagne building (Alcide de Gasperi room) from 9.00 – 13.00. The meeting will be chaired and opened by Catherine Day, Secretary General of the Commission, Mr Mogens Peter Carl, Director General of DG Environment and Mr Heinz Zourek, Director General of DG Enterprise. Representatives from the automobile sector, (both manufacturers and suppliers), NGO’s and consumer organisations will take part. The meeting is open to the accredited press corps in
The latest programme together with information on how to register can be found at the CO2 and Cars Public consultation website:
http://ec.europa.eu/reducing_co2_emissions_from_cars/index_en.htm
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