Curbing CO2 emissions from cars: agreement with Council
MEPs and the Austrian Presidency of the Council reached a provisional agreement on Monday on plans to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from cars and vans by 2030.
MEPs and Council agreed on a higher target (37,5%) than the European Commission (30%) for the reduction of EU fleet-wide emissions for new cars by 2030. The legislation will also set a CO2 reduction target for new vans of 31% by 2030.
“As Parliament, we strongly fought to safeguard the environment integrity of the proposal and bring real health, consumer and innovation benefits to European citizens,” rapporteur Miriam Dalli (S&D, MT) said.
“We achieved this deal despite the fierce opposition of the car industry and certain Member States who refused to acknowledge the opportunities that stem from a more ambitious target.”
“The Parliament’s position secured a 37.5% target for 2030, considerably increasing the Commission’s original level of ambition. Against the Council’s resistance, this target is the maximum that could have been reached.”
As proposed by MEPs, the legislation introduces an obligation for the European Commission to monitor the fuel consumption meter data and report annually on how the gap between what is tested and the levels of CO2 emitted on the road is faring.
“This is a major win secured by the European Parliament which will go towards ensuring that the gap between what is the tested in the laboratory and what is actually emitted on the road is narrowed” said Ms Dalli.
Social impacts of decarbonisation
Manufacturers whose average emissions exceed the limits will have to pay an excess emissions premium. By 2023, the European Commission will have to evaluate the possibility of allocating these amounts to a specific fund for a just transition towards zero-emission mobility, and to support skills formation of workers in the automotive sector.
Lifecycle analysis
Full life-cycle emissions from cars should be assessed at EU level. No later than 2023, the Commission will have to evaluate the possibility of a common methodology for the assessment and the consistent data reporting. If appropriate, legislatiion should follow.
Next steps
The provisional agreement will have to be endorsed by both Parliament and Council to become law. The Environment committee will vote on the text in January 2019.
Background
Transport is the only major sector in the EU where greenhouse gas emissions are still rising. In order to meet the commitments made at COP21 in 2015, the decarbonisation of the entire transport sector needs to be accelerated, on the path towards zero-emission by mid-century.
Today's agreement is part of the clean mobility package and a step towards the modernisation of the European mobility sector. The Clean mobility package was proposed to ensure that Europe takes decisive action to reduce emissions in the fields of transport and stays competitive.
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Baptiste CHATAIN
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