An intentionally leaked memo put out by the centre-right European People's Party (EPP) was aimed to weaken the EU's Green Deal policies for reducing car tailpipe pollution, Reuters reported.
The EPP urged that the 2035 ban on harmful tailpipe pollution should be changed. The ban is set to bar the sales of combustion-engine cars with the intent for consumers to purchase electric vehicles — which are drastically better for the environment as they do not run on dirty fuel.
"Those that have set the rules have not provided the necessary market conditions, charging infrastructure, stable incentive schemes, pricing of energy, etc, etc," European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) President Luca de Meo told Reuters.
This comes at a time when Europe's car sector is "in turmoil, with thousands of jobs on the line as it struggles with weak demand, Chinese competition, and lower than expected electric vehicle sales."
As the EPP is the largest party in Europe's parliament, it holds significant political sway, with the EU's President Ursula von der Leyen being a member.
Recent successes in weakening green policies have come within the year. Last month, the EU delayed a landmark anti-deforestation law by a year after the EPP pushed back.
The EU's original plans to cut the sales of carbon-releasing cars from 2035 became a milestone in climate policy. All new cars sold following the law's implementation must have zero carbon pollution, and from 2030, cars sold must have 55% less pollution versus 2021 levels. Transport nearly accounts for a quarter of the EU's pollution, meaning this law would make significant strides in mitigating the changing climate.
No comments:
Post a Comment