Press release - January 12, 2012
Dozens of polar bears today invaded one of Europe’s top car shows to highlight climate-wrecking EU lobbying by car giant Volkswagen.
Protesters entering the Brussels Motor Show. Volkswagen is lobbying against low carbon laws that would curb climate change and demand for oil from sensitive regions like the Arctic.
Dozens of costumed campaigners from Greenpeace over-ran the Brussels Motor Show this morning. Some dangled from the ceiling, meters over the heads of the crowd below.
The action is the latest in a Greenpeace campaign targeting Volkswagen, one of the world’s biggest car companies, because the industry giant is attempting to undermine a planned new EU law that would make cars more efficient. This lobbying could put a brake on the growing market for green cars and tie motorists to dirty and damaging oil, Greenpeace said.
Such moves will further encourage drilling for oil in fragile environments like the Arctic.
Greenpeace climate campaigner Sara Ayech said: “Volkswagen’s inefficient, polluting cars are destroying the Arctic. While it might make one or two self-styled green cars, these are nothing more than PR for the bigger vehicles it is flooding the market with. Its shameful lobbying efforts are helping drive the search for oil into areas like the Arctic, where a spill would be catastrophic.
“Tying motorists to soaring oil prices by blocking attempts to encourage greener cars is bad news for drivers’ wallets. Greener vehicles are good for business, good for motorists and good for the environment.”
A new piece of car efficiency legislation is under preparation for 2012. This new EU law would reduce car emissions to an average of 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre by 2020. Volkswagen is leading the opposition to this and is thought to be lobbying to introduce loopholes to the new law. In a letter to Greenpeace last year, the car company described the 95 gram legislative target as “not based on sound impact assessment nor on a realistic appreciation of the costs and technical progress necessary to meet the goal within the timescale”.
Greenpeace argues carmakers can and should develop car fleets that on average emit no more than 80g/km by 2020. A further target of 60g by 2025 should be set when the EU reviews fuel efficiency laws this year.
ENDS
For pictures and video of today’s action, contact Sylvain Trottier.
Further information on Greenpeace’s campaign against Volkswagen can be found at: www.VWdarkside.com
Contacts
Greenpeace climate campaigner Sara Ayech +44 7986 075829 
Greenpeace communications officer Sylvain Trottier +033 6302 35278 