Conservative MEPs Back EU's Green Drive To Help Pull The Brakes On CO2 Emissions
Wednesday 7 February 2007
Tough targets are vital to get greener cars onto our roads - but a U-turn in consumer behaviour is still needed
Plans for a legislative framework to ensure Europe meets its CO2 emissions cut targets have been welcomed by the Conservatives in the European Parliament today.
David Cameron pledged to join forces with Brussels to tackle climate change during his visit late last year.
The strategy proposed by the Commission to reduce emissions from new cars and vans sold in the EU would limit average CO2 emissions to 120 grams per km by 2012 - around a 25 per cent drop from current levels.
Conservatives have already pledged to cut average carbon dioxide emissions for new cars to 100 grams per km by 2022.
Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament Timothy Kirkhope MEP said:
"We have to be ambitious in getting greener cars onto our roads and the principle of the proposals today is taking us in the right direction, although we now need to look at the detail carefully.
"We must set tough targets. Less polluting and more efficient vehicles are paramount in our need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and save energy.
"Imposing regulations on manufacturers is only part of any solution however. Consumer behaviour has to change too."
ENDS
