An alliance of road freight interests has launched ‘Green Freight Europe’, aimed at working out a reliable method of measuring emissions from lorries. The group of hauliers, transport logistics firms and companies that use lorries to transport goods set out its scheme last month in the presence of the EU transport commissioner Siim Kallas. Estimates of today’s fuel efficiency of lorries vary widely.
Opinion by Jos Dings - T&E director
People who follow our work – and Europe’s environmental policy – a little bit will have noticed that two fuels-related draft laws keep dragging on without any apparent progress. The first one is what to do about indirect land use change effects of biofuels (key words: Iluc, biodiesel). The second is whether or not to give petrol and diesel from unconventional fossil sources a higher lifecycle greenhouse gas default value (key words: fuel quality directive, tar sands).
Efforts to remove one of the main causes of air pollution and acid rain from shipping have been boosted by a vote in the European Parliament. MEPs on the environment committee have approved draft rules to reduce the sulphur content of marine fuels. The changes now have to be confirmed by environment ministers and by the full Parliament.
On 16 February 2012 the environment committee of the European Parliament will vote on a proposal to limit the sulphur content in fuels used by ships in EU seas. This briefing gives an overview of the key issues at stake.
T&E response to consultation on complementary provisions to Euro 5/6 and Euro VI
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) and Transport and Environment (T&E) have welcomed today's vote in the European Parliament on 'EURO VI' air pollution limits for new lorries and buses sold in Europe from 2012-13.
Dutch efforts to reduce emissions of fine particles from diesel cars and light vans have been boosted by a ruling by the European Court of Justice.
New Euro-5 and Euro-6 rules on particle emissions from cars and light vehicles are now law. This follows agreement by member states in July under EU 'comitology' procedure.
MEPs have voted to water down proposed limits on nitrogen oxides and fine particle emissions from heavy vehicles. The decision appears to reflect a wish to prioritise fighting carbon dioxide emissions over air pollutants.