By Letara Draghia • Published: 26 Sep 2024 • 0:13 • 1 minute read
Credit: Pixabay
Germany and Italy are joining forces to push for an early review of the European Union’s CO2 emissions targets for cars. This move, backed by car manufacturers, has sparked debate among environmentalists across Europe.
The revision could potentially shape the future of the automotive industry and impact the expatriate and local community, many of whom rely on cars for daily commuting within the EU.
Germany’s Economy Minister, Robert Habeck, has teamed up with Italy, led by Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, in calling for an earlier revision of CO2 targets set for 2025. The current targets, which include a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles by 2035, have caused concern for carmakers in both nations.
Urso stated that the “market conditions have changed,” pointing to the impacts of the ongoing global economic slowdown and the challenges of meeting the ambitious targets. Habeck added that the EU’s CO2 targets “need to be adapted to reflect the realities of today’s market.” This marks a significant shift for Germany, a country known for its leadership in green policies.
The push for an earlier revision suggests that the auto industry is looking to balance environmental goals with economic sustainability. This might mean more leniency on the phase-out of petrol and diesel vehicles, which could benefit those who haven’t yet transitioned to electric vehicles (EVs).
While the call for revision is gaining traction, not everyone is on board. Environmentalists warn that any delay could undermine the EU’s climate goals, especially given the rising urgency to address carbon emissions. On the flip side, the auto industry argues that a balanced approach is necessary to protect jobs and ensure economic stability.
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Part-time writer, wife, and mother from the UK. Living an enjoyable life in southern Spain.
Carbon emissions my arse, the whole thing is a scam, as are carbon footprints, net zero and carbon taxes. The world needs to stop wasting time and money on this rubbish and look at stopping deforestation and environmental pollution caused by corporations involved in mining and other similar activities instead. but then that wouldn´t fit the agenda would it? because the mines are mining materials to be used in the damned electric cars and wind turbines…….
World data at September 2023 showed that cars /vans produced 10.3% of world CO2 emissions, you are correct what you say, a scam, eco warriors and other climate activists refuse to acknowledge this, in the UK a few years ago before I moved to Spain, a cold winter is usually a high pressure with no wind, so when the country needed a boost in electricity it came from coal power stations, not static wind turbines, it happens often, but many times on TV when this is put to them, they just brush it aside, why not invest in sustainable fuels and improve exhaust efficiency and emissions, rather than spending €billions on EV batteries and driverless cars, which most people don’t want !!!!! Or can’t afford or charge at home.
Naimah, you got it 100% correct. Net Zero is the biggest scam in the West, please look around the world, only Europe and America seemed to be pulling this stunt, the rest of the world goes on building new coal power stations and running ICE vehicles. We are being SCAMMED, 100% AND IT IS TIME IT WAS STOPPED.
First thing that should be done is to stop far eastern countries polluting the air with all their coal-fired power stations!
Please, the EU can do nothing in this world and there is absolutely no way these countries care what the EU think or say, but I love a dreamer so dream on.
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