EU 'tobacco-style' CO2 ads for all new cars important initiative
Issued : Monday 5 November, 2007
Labour's Transport Spokesperson Tommy Broughan TD has welcomed a new European Parliament proposal on the introduction of "tobacco-style" environmental warnings in all advertisements for new cars in a bid to reduce CO2 emissions from new vehicles.
Deputy Broughan commented, "The European Parliament's Report on cutting CO2 emissions from cars has recommended that a minimum of 20% of advertising space for new cars in all media or showroom displays should provide "information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions in an approved format" similar to the health warnings that all cigarette packets must now have.
"The European Commission has previously invited car manufacturers to sign up for an EU-wide voluntary code of conduct on vehicle advertising and marketing. However, the European Parliament has urged the adoption of a binding code for car advertising "which outlaws false green claims" and introduces an "environmental performance 'green star' rating system taking into account all aspects of environmental performance, including co2 emissions (g/km) and emissions of other pollutants, fuel consumption (1/100km), weight, aerodynamics, space efficiency, noise and environmental driving aids."
"In 2006 the European Commission proposed that car manufacturers should have to reduce average car emissions from the current 160g/km level to 130g/km by 2012. In this report, the European Parliament has proposed a new 125g/km target by 2015 to allow car manufactures more time to realize the necessary design changes.
"The transport sector contributes very significantly to our total greenhouse gas emissions. This proposal for making much more information available to consumers on the environmental profile of new vehicles is very valuable and worthwhile of strong consideration. The first session of the new Oireachtas Transport Committee takes place this week and I intend to request that this matter is placed high on the Committee's agenda for a comprehensive hearing and examination."
For more information contact Tommy Broughan at 087 288 0777
www.labour.ie/press
