London MEP must back fuel efficient cars (From Your Local Guardian)

London MEP must back fuel efficient cars

2:30pm Friday 23rd May 2008 in

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London MEP John Bowis must back proposals for tough EU regulations to improve the fuel efficiency of new cars and vote to strengthen rules for cutting aviation emissions at a crucial European Parliament meeting in Brussels next week, Friends of the Earth said today.

The environmental campaign group said that rising oil prices and road transport's increasing contribution to climate change meant that it was essential to increase the fuel efficiency of all new cars. The move could help reduce fuel bills for drivers in London who are struggling with the ever-rising cost of petrol.

The Environment Committee, which is meeting next week (26 - 29 May), will vote on amendments to proposals to cut carbon dioxide emissions from aviation and discuss measures to cut emissions from cars by making them use fuel in a smarter way.

Friends of the Earth is calling on Mr Bowis to: Back tough mandatory emissions targets for new cars. Past attempts to cut emissions from new cars have not been successful, but this could make the single biggest contribution to cutting carbon Push for amendments to the EU Emissions Trading Scheme that will toughen up environmental rules for airlines taking part. The trading scheme is designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions from EU industry through a permit system for companies. The EU intends to extend this scheme to include aviation from 2011 onwards.

Friends of the Earth's Senior Transport Campaigner Tony Bosworth said: "Rising fuel prices and road transport's increasing contribution to climate change mean that it is essential to manufacture greener cars. John Bowis can play a key role in this by pushing for tough EU fuel efficiency standards for new cars. This will help lower fuel bills, cut emissions and save drivers' cash in London and elsewhere.

"By supporting a strong emissions trading scheme for airlines, John Bowis will ensure this fast growing sector makes a fair contribution to meeting EU targets to cut climate-changing emissions."