EU strikes deal to slash emissions for new cars | News | DW | 17.12.2018

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EU strikes deal to slash emissions for new cars

The compromise was slightly lower than the 40 percent cut pursued by the EU parliament. Germany's auto industry has warned that the move could damage Europe's standing in the auto market and endanger jobs.

Traffic in the German city of Essen, North Rhine Westphalia

The EU agreed on Monday to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new cars by 37.5 percent by 2030. 

The deal represents a compromise, as Germany sought a cut of 30 percent and the European Parliament had pursued a reduction of 40 percent.

Austria, which currently holds the rotating EU Council presidency, made the announcement just two days after the COP24 summit concluded in Poland, where reducing emissions featured as a sore point for the participating nations.

Vehicle exhaust fumes make up a large share of the emissions linked to climate change.

A compromise

EU member states have been divided for months over cutting CO2 emissions from vehicles. Car-producing nations such as Germany and others, such as Netherlands and Denmark, sparred over how strict the limit should be.

Read more: Opinion: After Katowice, giving up still isn't an option

"With this legislation in place, we are setting the right targets and incentives to tackle emissions from the transport sector," said European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Canete.

"It will help our industry to embrace innovation towards zero-emission mobility and further strengthen its global leadership in clean vehicles." 

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    The protesters' symbol was a clock to signal to those meeting at the United Nations climate change conference (COP24) that time is running out if the world is to limit global warming to within 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Negotiations at the COP have been tough, with disagreements on financing for developing countries and on how states should report their emissions cuts.

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    Air pollution woes

    About seven million people worldwide die prematurely due to air pollution every year. Poland's air quality is particularly bad because of the country's dependence on coal for electricity and heating. Some protesters decorated pollution masks to make a statement about Poland's coal policy. During the COP, the country's president said there was no intention to phase out coal.

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    A sustainable Christmas

    Sustaina Claus arrived at the climate march with his Christmas elves to preach the message of sustainability. The environmental activist says we need to stop overconsumption if we are to stop climate change and protect the planet's resources. Instead of buying mountains of gifts for your loved ones at Christmas, "you should give the gift of you."

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    Activists held at the border

    NGOs said a number of environmental campaigners were refused entry at the Polish border or deported from the country, having been deemed a "threat" to national security. Climate Action Network, an umbrella group of climate groups, called the actions worrying. A spokeswoman for Poland's border guards said she could not say whether the refusals were connected to the COP, according to Reuters.

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    Author: Jennifer Collins, Louise Osborne


Carmakers object

German carmakers decried the EU's 2030 target, calling it restrictive and unrealistic. "The regulation demands too much while promoting too little," the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) said in a statement.

"Nobody knows today how the agreed limits can be achieved in the time given," the VDA added, noting that nowhere else in the world had such strict regulations.

Read more: Climate change: Governments don't act? We do!

The association also warned that the move would damage Europe's standing in the international car market and endanger jobs.

The 2030 target will apply to car manufacturers' fleets as a whole, meaning that high-emission models would have to be offset with sales of low-emission or zero-emission vehicles, such as battery-run cars.

As a result, car manufacturers will face the challenge of having to sell an ever greater proportion of clean vehicles, as compared to diesel- and petrol-powered cars.

jcg/rt (dpa, AFP, Reuters)

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