Emissions standards for Vans
Watering down emissions standards costs climate, consumers and the economy
The Industry Committee of the European Parliament today voted on CO2 regulations for light commercial vehicles. Commenting on the vote, Green MEP Rebecca Harms, President of the Greens/EFA group, said:
"In voting for watering down the legislation on van emissions, a majority of the Industry Committee have yet again failed to grasp an opportunity to tackle the climate, oil and economic crises at the same time. Requiring efficiency improvements beyond business as usual would have helped EU car manufacturers regain global leadership. In fact, we risk instead "protecting" our car industry out of business. Moreover, this weakened proposal fails to make industry meet its potential to reduce emissions which would also save the consumers and society money. Not tackling such cost opportunities now means making climate policy more expensive in the long run.
Luckily this wrong headed and short sighted industry approach will not be the Parliaments last word on this. In September the leading Environment Committee can rectify today's mistakes.
As a positive sign, the Industry Committee opinion also contains a requirement for equipping vans with speed limiters, already supported by the Parliament's Transport Committee. This will save lives as well as emissions and money.
