European Parliament battle looms for CO2 targets

A battle is looming at the European Parliament over amendments to a proposed European Union (EU) regulation on carbon dioxide (CO₂) targets for cars and vans, with left wingers calling for tougher limits, and the centre-right seeking to ease the auto sector’s burden, reports Keith Nuthall.

The key proposals from the MEP charged with coordinating the parliament’s response –Miriam Dalli, a Maltese socialist – would strengthen the EU carbon emissions 2030 target for cars and vans from 30% to 50%; insist on penalty for companies failing to meet a 2025 intermediate 25% target; and would make carbon test conditions tougher for manufacturers.

The parliament’s Green group has proposed an amendment demanding a 70% reduction target for 2030. Meanwhile Germany’s centre-right liberal MEPs are against imposing a 2025 target, while Jens Gieseke, a Christian Democrat German MEP, wants to delete the 2025 target and lower the 2030 target to 25%. Votes on these proposals will be staged at the parliament’s Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, probably by late July, when the assembly takes its summer break.