Tuesday 29 August 2006

Well, it's a start...



From our friends at ENN:

"The European Union warned carmakers Tuesday that it will introduce legislation to enforce cuts in carbon dioxide emissions, if the industry does not work harder to meet voluntary pollution-cutting targets."

The voluntary target they mention is a 25% carbon emissions cut between 1995 and 2008. So for every kilometer traveled, the average car should produce 25% less greenhouse gas emissions.

This is good news. I love my Honda Civic hybrid, but consumers should have a wider array of clean cars to choose from.

Of course, total kilometres traveled in that period has increased by almost 20% in the UK. If this trend continues, the gains from driving cleaner cars will be completely wiped out by the time the deadline passes.

I know I keep banging this drum, but a cleaner car is only part of the solution to driving-related climate pollution. The other parts are to reduce the amount you drive, and to use carbon offsets for whatever you can't reduce.

What steps are you taking?

(Carbon Clear homepage)