It’s about time that governments took a hard line in regards to CO2 Pollution. It turns out, even given the fact that Europe and even the world might experience a recession. I’m for once, am glad that the EU has not made a U-Turn in policy, I think given the long term effects of increased CO2 in the atmosphere it’s good that European Parliament’s Environment Committee has continued to support such strict emission targets. It easy for industry to call foul, it will stop us from being competitive.. there will be loss of jobs etc.(smoke and mirrors to me).
The transport sector accounts for a high proportion of CO2, It seems that in recent years car manufactures have gone the reverse of improving efficiency in the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE), producing largest and large cars, Sport utility vehicles (SUV’s). So making the car industry accountable for it’s product is a good measure, and I hope that with many other sectors, the tough CO2 emissions regulations will spur Industry to produce more greener products, consumers to think before buying inefficient products.
Even the food sector can reduce their CO2 emissions, bar the production and manufacture of food stuff, Flashy food packaging, Refrigerated, 100,000 air kilometres cesar salad, these have a tremendous CO2 emission record. I would imagine that as the CO2 (tax) is applied to these products, the cost of buying local (farmers markets) will seem cheap in comparison.
So bring on the tough decisions 