EU environment ministers must reject German car emission loopholes

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The activists unfurled a large banner picturing German environment minister Peter Altmaier cradling a BMW four-by-four and urging his colleagues to help him “protect German gas guzzlers”. On the ground, activists distributed leaflets to ministers and diplomats, and held banners urging them to “support fuel efficient cars”.

The action precedes another meeting tomorrow in Brussels at which EU governments will decide their position on car CO2 emissions, ahead of final negotiations with the European Parliament and Commission next Monday 24 June, in Brussels. The German government is pushing for the inclusion of so-called ‘supercredits’, loopholes in the legislation that would allow Germany’s manufacturers of larger cars to slow the reduction of CO2 emissions from their fleets.

“Minister Altmaier wants to undermine the EU’s CO2 emission standards for cars by inserting massive ‘supercredit’ loopholes. This is to allow German car companies to keep making climate-damaging gas guzzlers instead of real strides to increase the fuel efficiency of their products,” says Franziska Achterberg, Greenpeace EU Transport Policy Director. “Other ministers must stand up to Mr Altmaier and get behind ambitious standards that protect the climate, European drivers and the economy.”

Greenpeace is asking ministers to reject any loopholes that would weaken the EU’s CO₂ reduction target of 95g CO₂/km by 2020, and to insert a new target of no more than 60g CO₂/km by 2025.

Contacts:
Franziska Achterberg - Greenpeace EU transport policy director: +32 (0)498 362 403, 

Daniela Pichler - Greenpeace media officer:+352 621 252199, 

For breaking news and comment on EU affairs: www.twitter.com/GreenpeaceEU

Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Greenpeace does not accept donations from governments, the EU, businesses or political parties.