The government is opposing EU plans to have a target of 120g of carbon emissions per kilometre by 2012. Instead, Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, wants a target of 100g/km by 2020 or even 2025.Why is the EU pushing for a binding 120g/km target? Perhaps it is because car manufacturers haven't met their voluntary target -- 140g/km by 2008. The industry average is currently 161g/km.
So, the car manufacturers aren't meeting their voluntary target, but the government wants to give them an extra 8 to 13 years leeway. Air pollution - of which car emissions are a major contributor - is responsible for 24,000 premature deaths in the UK every year. In a week when Gordon Brown gives a speech saying there should be "no more toleration of second best for Britain", that's exactly what he's delivering.
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