Europe to reinforce green effort

THE Government's commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emissions could be reinforced by a new European monitoring scheme. The Conciliation Committee (a joint body between the European Parliament and European Council) has announced a CO2 monitoring scheme. If it receives the approval of the European Parliament and Council, it will force member states to measure the effectiveness of European strategies to cut emissions of greenhouse gases.

These strategies include 'green' agreements within the motor industry, tax incentives and the labelling of vehicle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Member states would be obliged to track the environmental credentials of all new cars bought, including their fuel type, engine power and capacity, and CO2 emissions.

lJAGUAR says it is 'working to reduce carbon dioxide emissions' on its cars as all the manufacturer's vehicles in the current line-up are outside the Government's highest benefit-in-kind charge band announced in the Budget.