The European car industry has pledged to fight the already watered-down plans to reduce CO2 from new cars. Leading the fight will be the Germans and their powerful car industry, which is dominated by gas-guzzling cars like BMW, Porsches and Mercedes-Benz. Even the country’s Chancellor Angela Merkel has opposed the plans saying they were “not … Read More
It’s a political row that has been going on for months. Tomorrow the European Commission is due to publish its long-awaited plans to reduce carbon emissions from passenger cars to 120 grams per kilometre within five years. But a bitter fallout between France and Germany has plunged the key negotiations into crisis. French manufacturers such … Read More
Interesting article in today’s New York Times about the differing Democratic and Republican long-term approaches to energy policy. “Over the next decade or two, the differences could have a major effect on billions of dollars in government spending, on the relative prices of gasoline versus renewable fuels and on the efficiency of American cars and … Read More
Well done, Greenpeace Switzerland. The Swiss oil lobby had the cheek to claim in an advert that heating with oil is a contribution to climate protection. They now had their fingers slapped by the Swiss advertising board, which has prohibited the further use of these ads as they are – you guessed it – misleading. … Read More
Its that time of year again – the worst EU Lobbying and Greenwash Awards 2007. Once again oil companies, car companies, and PR companies working on climate change are on the short-list. If you want to vote go here. The ‘Worst EU Lobbying’ Award is to be given to the lobbyist, company or lobby group … Read More
America is not the only political battle grown over fuel efficiency standards. A large Diplomatic spat is growing in Europe between France and German over the issue. France is trying to put the brakes on the German effort to skew European fuel efficiency legislation in favour of heavier cars amid fears that it would price … Read More
The sprawling forests of the northern hemisphere which extend from China and Siberia to Canada and Alaska are in danger of becoming a gigantic source of carbon dioxide rather than being a major “sink” that helps to offset man-made emissions of the greenhouse gas. Two studies published today show that the increase in forest fires … Read More
A US federal judge has dismissed a case brought by California against six leading carmakers over damage caused by the emissions of CO2 from cars. The legal action, the first of its kind, demanded millions of dollars in compensation from General Motors, Ford, Honda, Toyota, Chrysler and Nissan. But the judge ruled that the issue … Read More
Norway’s consumer ombudsman has targeted automakers who claim that their cars are “green”, “clean” or “environmentally friendly” with some of the world’s strictest advertising guidelines. Consumer ombudsman official Bente Oeverli said: “Cars cannot do anything good for the environment except less damage than others.” She said automakers such as Toyota, Opel, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Citroen, Saab … Read More
The leader of the UK Conservatives, David Cameron is set propose a number of green taxes, including the imposition of VAT on aviation fuel on domestic flights and a new airline passenger tax linked to the carbon efficiency of the flight. The Conservative party’s quality of life report, chaired by ex-Minister John Gummer, and Zac … Read More
