LowCVP News
LowCVP Conference, 28 June - limited places left
There are just a few delegate places - and one or two spaces for exhibitors - remaining for the LowCVP annual conference. Any LowCVP members, or others, planning to attend the event should ensure they are registered as soon as possible to make sure of a place.
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Policy Developments
MEP expresses doubts about EU fuel life-cycle cuts plan
A Dutch MEP has called for significant changes to a European Commission draft that plans to cut life-cycle fuel emissions, saying that the proposed policy could penalise early innovators in cutting fuel-sourced emissions.
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European car makers agree approach to CO2 targets
Europe's leading car companies have agreed a response to the European Commission's proposals for regulated CO2 targets for new cars. ACEA - the European car makers' trade association - said: "the majority of carbon emissions from cars is caused today by the existing and ageing car fleet, by growing congestion and increasing mileage. Emissions from new cars have significantly decreased over the past decade". The industry is therefore calling on the EU to adopt an integrated approach to cutting CO2 emissions.
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ITF/OECD Round Table reports biofuel concerns
Leading transport, energy and environmental experts have expressed their concerns about biofuel sustainability. Their comments followed a meeting of the International Transport Forum and the OECD Joint Transport Research Centre.
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Biofuel policies under attack
Warnings have been issued by a campaign group, Corporate Europe Observatory, and several senior advisers to the UK Government about the biofuel targets and policies being implemented in many countries around the world.
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MEP proposes extending timescale for car makers to cut CO2 emissions
The UK Liberal MEP Chris Davies has presented a report to the European Parliament Environment Committee which says that forcing car makers to cut average CO2 emissions from new cars to 130g/km by 2012 would be too costly. Davies' report proposes giving car makers an extra three years to reach the target. The report says that carmakers who fail to meet annual emissions targets should be fined, while those that meet them should be financially rewarded. It also calls for much more advertising and marketing to be devoted to providing information on fuel economy and CO2.
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Consultations
King Review of low carbon road transport calls for evidence
The King Review of low carbon cars, which was announced in the latest Budget, has issued a call for evidence to invite views from all interested parties on how best to cut road transport emissions over the next 25 years. Professor Julia King, who will be working with Sir Nicholas Stern on the review, will be speaking at the LowCVP Conference in London on June 28.
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International Developments
Biofuels development gaining pace in Norway
Norway's revised national budget for 2007 targets a rise in the use of biofuels. Proposed new measures would demand that biofuels make up a minimum of 2% (volume) of road fuels next year, increasing to 5% in 2009, with a figure of 7% being considered for 2010, according to the country's Environment Minister. Car-buyers choosing vehicles able to handle high-ethanol fuel would earn a rebate of NKr10,000 (€1,224) on one-off car registration taxes.
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Action against car emissions across Northern Europe
New schemes have been announced in Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands aimed at reducing emissions from road transport and providing more information to the public about the environmental performance of their cars.
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US Senate approves stronger US car fuel efficiency standards
United States Senators agreed to push forward with fuel efficiency standards that would require cars to average 35 miles per gallon by 2020, the first significant change in fuel efficiency requirements in about 30 years.
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Industry News
Toyota ordered to drop 'exaggerated' adverts for Prius
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled that a television commercial for the hybrid Toyota Prius breached advertising rules by exaggerating the car's environmental benefits.
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IKEA's UK car fleet goes hybrid
Ikea is switching all of its UK company-car fleet to hybrid vehicles in a pilot project which could lead to a company-wide change.
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Climate Change News
CO2 levels rising much faster than expected
A new scientific study indicates that worldwide CO2 emissions are rising three times more quickly than was previously thought.
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Other News
Honours to motor industry figures in Queen's Birthday list
Roger Putnam, former Chairman of Ford of Britain and former President of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and Richard Turner, Chief Executive of the Freight Transport Association, are among the industry figures recognised in HM The Queen's Birthday honours list.
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DEFRA launches new CO2 calculator
An online calculator that enables people to check their carbon footprints has been launched by David Miliband, the Environment Secretary.
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