Press release - October 4, 2011
Reactive statement on the news that the European Commission is proposing a de facto ban on imports of dirty fuels extracted from tar sands.
Aerial view of Suncor Millennium tar sands mine in the Boreal forest north of Fort McMurray.
Greenpeace EU transport policy adviser Franziska Achterberg said: “Today’s move by the Commission is good news. Tar sands extraction is a very dirty business for the climate, polluting rivers, lacing the air with toxins and turning forests into wasteland. Despite coming under intense pressure from oil lobbyists and Canada, the Commission is doing the right thing by wanting to keep tar sands out of Europe to protect the climate.”
In 2008, the EU agreed to reduce the carbon intensity of its transport fuels by 6% by 2020. Since then, regulation necessary to achieve this has been delayed over the issue of tar sands.
Canada pressed the Commission to ignore the higher carbon intensity of fuels produced from tar sands. But independent research for the Commission has shown that tar sands fuel causes 23% more carbon emissions than conventional petrol [1].
Representatives from EU countries will hold a vote on the Commission’s proposal in the coming months.
Ends
Click here for a definitive Greenpeace tar sands photo shoot for media use.
Note to editors:
[1] European Commission report by Stanford University
Contacts:
Franziska Achterberg – Greenpeace EU transport policy adviser: +32 (0)498 362403, 
Mark Breddy – Greenpeace EU communications manager: +32 (0)496 156229, 