www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
A Republican senator introduced legislation on Wednesday to shield U.S. airlines from a law set to take effect in Europe that would charge carriers globally for aircraft emissions.
The bill was proposed by John Thune, but lacks a Democratic co-sponsor that airlines were hoping would give the proposal more weight in the Democrat-controlled Senate.
A similar bill was approved by the House of Representatives in October with bi-partisan support.
The Obama administration opposes the European law, due to take effect in January.
The law would require airlines to join the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme and buy permits to offset greenhouse emissions from jetliners operating in, or to, and from, Europe.
Airlines globally say compliance would hurt them financially. The change is estimated to cost U.S. airlines $3.1 billion between 2012 and year-end 2020, an industry trade group said.
China, India and two dozen other nations also object and a United Nations' body that oversees civil aviation is accelerating its efforts to try to craft a compromise.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Isra-Mart srl: Negotiators Discuss Taxing Ships to Pay for Climate Change
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
One of the big issues under discussion at the climate talks here in Durban is how to pay for the programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help people adapt to climate change. There's been a lot of work already done on setting up a multi-billion dollar Green Climate Fund, but it's still not clear where all that cash would come from.
One option on the table—and a pretty good one—is a tax on global shipping. This is generally called a "bunker" tax, referring to the place where fuel is stored on a ship. The idea is to put a fee on emissions that stem from shipping stuff all over world on cargo boats, which would have the impact of both pushing the industry to reduce its emissions, and creating a source of revenue that can be put into the Green Climate Fund.
Emissions from maritime shipping account for about 3 percent of greenhouse gases currently, but are on the rise. A levy on those emissions could generate quite a bit of money. Oxfam estimates that a fee of $25 per ton of carbon would generate $10 billion per year. Meanwhile, it would only raise the price of shipping by an estimated 0.2 percent. Part of the revenues would likely be rebated to poorer countries to make sure the tax doesn't put new burdens on their domestic industries, but the fee has still made some developing countries nervous.
It's also supported by some industry players, including the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80 percent of the industry. NGOs like it too. "Raising money for climate action from the shipping industry is just good policy," said Steve Herz, senior attorney with the Sierra Club's International Climate Program. "It will help reduce a large and growing source of carbon pollution, will impose little if any costs on consumers, and can be designed to protect the poor from any adverse impact."
Some developed countries (read: the United States) have been resistant to having any formal directive within the conference on where the money for the Green Climate Fund should come from; that, they argue, should be up to each of the donor countries to decide.
Another option that has been discussed is a fee on aviation. The bloc of least-developed countries has proposed a levy on all international flights, paid for by the ticket-buyer. Their argument, of course, is that if you can afford an expensive international trip, you can afford a few extra dollars to pay for your emissions. But when the European Union recently put a tax on all flights through EU countries, members of Congress freaked out; the House actually passed a bill that would forbid US airlines from paying the fee. A number of other countries were also displeased with the EU's plan. But it can be hard to get developed countries to commit to public funding for climate, and the specific amounts are offered at the discretion of political leaders or bodies. A funding stream like a bunker or aviation tax is more reliable, and it's outside the control of a particular country, which makes it an appealing option for many negotiators.
Isra-Mart news:
One of the big issues under discussion at the climate talks here in Durban is how to pay for the programs that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help people adapt to climate change. There's been a lot of work already done on setting up a multi-billion dollar Green Climate Fund, but it's still not clear where all that cash would come from.
One option on the table—and a pretty good one—is a tax on global shipping. This is generally called a "bunker" tax, referring to the place where fuel is stored on a ship. The idea is to put a fee on emissions that stem from shipping stuff all over world on cargo boats, which would have the impact of both pushing the industry to reduce its emissions, and creating a source of revenue that can be put into the Green Climate Fund.
Emissions from maritime shipping account for about 3 percent of greenhouse gases currently, but are on the rise. A levy on those emissions could generate quite a bit of money. Oxfam estimates that a fee of $25 per ton of carbon would generate $10 billion per year. Meanwhile, it would only raise the price of shipping by an estimated 0.2 percent. Part of the revenues would likely be rebated to poorer countries to make sure the tax doesn't put new burdens on their domestic industries, but the fee has still made some developing countries nervous.
It's also supported by some industry players, including the International Chamber of Shipping, which represents 80 percent of the industry. NGOs like it too. "Raising money for climate action from the shipping industry is just good policy," said Steve Herz, senior attorney with the Sierra Club's International Climate Program. "It will help reduce a large and growing source of carbon pollution, will impose little if any costs on consumers, and can be designed to protect the poor from any adverse impact."
Some developed countries (read: the United States) have been resistant to having any formal directive within the conference on where the money for the Green Climate Fund should come from; that, they argue, should be up to each of the donor countries to decide.
Another option that has been discussed is a fee on aviation. The bloc of least-developed countries has proposed a levy on all international flights, paid for by the ticket-buyer. Their argument, of course, is that if you can afford an expensive international trip, you can afford a few extra dollars to pay for your emissions. But when the European Union recently put a tax on all flights through EU countries, members of Congress freaked out; the House actually passed a bill that would forbid US airlines from paying the fee. A number of other countries were also displeased with the EU's plan. But it can be hard to get developed countries to commit to public funding for climate, and the specific amounts are offered at the discretion of political leaders or bodies. A funding stream like a bunker or aviation tax is more reliable, and it's outside the control of a particular country, which makes it an appealing option for many negotiators.
Isra-Mart srl: Germany To Distribute CO2 Vouchers Worth EUR3B To Airlines 2012-202
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
A German environment authority said Thursday it has begun notifying airlines around the world about how many carbon dioxide emission certificates they will receive for free each year, preparing the carriers for the inclusion of the aviation industry in the European Union's cap and trade CO2 scheme from 2012.
In a written statement, the Federal Environment Authority--known as Umweltbundesamt--said that it will hand out some 42.8 million CO2 certificates for the year 2012, the first year that airlines are included in the EU's CO2 emissions trading scheme.
In the 2013 to 2020 period the airlines will receive 40.5 million CO2 allowances per year, said the authority.
"These [CO2 emission rights] have a value of around EUR3 billion according to present market prices," the Umweltbundesamt said.
A spokeswoman for the environment authority said that the notifications have been sent to some 130 airlines around the world. In total, Germany is responsible for overseeing the CO2 trading scheme for a total of 409 airlines, she added.
The number of notifications sent to airlines for now remains relatively low, as some have requested or have been granted exemption from the CO2 trade, the spokeswoman said. Others haven't yet provided information necessary to determine how many CO2 rights they would receive free of charge.
The Umweltbundesamt Thursday declined to detail the allocation of CO2 allowances to individual airlines, but added that it plans to publish a list with this information on Dec. 23.
Isra-Mart news:
A German environment authority said Thursday it has begun notifying airlines around the world about how many carbon dioxide emission certificates they will receive for free each year, preparing the carriers for the inclusion of the aviation industry in the European Union's cap and trade CO2 scheme from 2012.
In a written statement, the Federal Environment Authority--known as Umweltbundesamt--said that it will hand out some 42.8 million CO2 certificates for the year 2012, the first year that airlines are included in the EU's CO2 emissions trading scheme.
In the 2013 to 2020 period the airlines will receive 40.5 million CO2 allowances per year, said the authority.
"These [CO2 emission rights] have a value of around EUR3 billion according to present market prices," the Umweltbundesamt said.
A spokeswoman for the environment authority said that the notifications have been sent to some 130 airlines around the world. In total, Germany is responsible for overseeing the CO2 trading scheme for a total of 409 airlines, she added.
The number of notifications sent to airlines for now remains relatively low, as some have requested or have been granted exemption from the CO2 trade, the spokeswoman said. Others haven't yet provided information necessary to determine how many CO2 rights they would receive free of charge.
The Umweltbundesamt Thursday declined to detail the allocation of CO2 allowances to individual airlines, but added that it plans to publish a list with this information on Dec. 23.
Isra-Mart srl: EU carbon allowance allocation to airlines proceeds despite protest
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
As international opposition to the inclusion of aviation in the EU's carbon emission trading system (ETS) continues to grow, member states have begun informing airlines of their exact free allocation.
Germany is the latest country to do so, saying on Thursday that it expects to allocate 42.8m free EU allowances (EUAs) to airlines at the start of 2012, which is the first year that the aviation sector will be included within the ETS.
German carbon registry DEHSt said it will inform individual airlines about the number of certificates they will receive until 2020.
The UK and Ireland have already published this information (see EDCM 3 October 2011 and 28 Ocotber 2011).
However, DEHSt said it will publish only a detailed list of relevant airlines and their respective EUA allocations on 23 December.
Pushed for details of the German system, a registry spokeswoman said: "All I can say is that we are going to allocate in total 42.8m EUAs in 2012 and 40.5m EUAs annually from 2013-2020 to around 130 airlines that have applied for the allocation of free allowances in Germany."
The allowances will be handed out to airlines by 28 February.
In early 2013, the airlines will have to report their emissions for the year 2012 and hand in the relevant number of allowances to registries.
The EU set the emission benchmarks, on which the exact allocation is based, in September ( see EDCM 26 September 2011).
US opposition grows
Meanwhile, after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said it will rule on 21 December whether the EU's inclusion of airlines in the ETS is legal (see EDCM 7 December 2011) - which is expected to give the move a green legal light - US Senator John Thune introduced a bill to block the inclusion of US airlines in the trading system.
"The idea that the European Union has the right to tax American air passengers and carriers flies in the face of our country's sovereignty," Thune said in a statement on his website on Wednesday.
"I reject this proposed European tax and will work with my colleagues in Congress and countless concerned stakeholders to block this tax."
The bill introduced by Thune is similar to one brought by John Mica to the House of Representatives that was passed on 24 October (see EDCM 25 October 2011).
European estimates
In 2012, airlines will receive 0.6797 free aviation emissions allowances for every 1,000 tonne-kilometre reported for 2010.
A tonne-kilometre is a measure of the distance travelled and the total weight of load and passengers of flight.
According to calculations by consulting firm Altimedes, British Airways will receive the most 2012 allowances, collecting around 4.82% of total free credits, amounting to 10.35m EUAs.
It will be followed by Ryanair (5.6m EUAs), Iberia (4.6m), Emirates (4.3m) and Easy Jet (3.7m) as the top five recipients of free allowances in 2012.
In 2013-2020, the allocation will fall to 0.64219 free aviation allowances per 1,000 tonne-kilometre reported for 2010.
From 30 April 2013, flights landing or departing from airports within the territories of the EU states, as well as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, will have to surrender EUAs matching their emissions in the previous year.
Each year, airlines will receive some free EUAs and will have to buy any extras they need on the carbon market.
Isra-Mart news:
As international opposition to the inclusion of aviation in the EU's carbon emission trading system (ETS) continues to grow, member states have begun informing airlines of their exact free allocation.
Germany is the latest country to do so, saying on Thursday that it expects to allocate 42.8m free EU allowances (EUAs) to airlines at the start of 2012, which is the first year that the aviation sector will be included within the ETS.
German carbon registry DEHSt said it will inform individual airlines about the number of certificates they will receive until 2020.
The UK and Ireland have already published this information (see EDCM 3 October 2011 and 28 Ocotber 2011).
However, DEHSt said it will publish only a detailed list of relevant airlines and their respective EUA allocations on 23 December.
Pushed for details of the German system, a registry spokeswoman said: "All I can say is that we are going to allocate in total 42.8m EUAs in 2012 and 40.5m EUAs annually from 2013-2020 to around 130 airlines that have applied for the allocation of free allowances in Germany."
The allowances will be handed out to airlines by 28 February.
In early 2013, the airlines will have to report their emissions for the year 2012 and hand in the relevant number of allowances to registries.
The EU set the emission benchmarks, on which the exact allocation is based, in September ( see EDCM 26 September 2011).
US opposition grows
Meanwhile, after the European Court of Justice (ECJ) said it will rule on 21 December whether the EU's inclusion of airlines in the ETS is legal (see EDCM 7 December 2011) - which is expected to give the move a green legal light - US Senator John Thune introduced a bill to block the inclusion of US airlines in the trading system.
"The idea that the European Union has the right to tax American air passengers and carriers flies in the face of our country's sovereignty," Thune said in a statement on his website on Wednesday.
"I reject this proposed European tax and will work with my colleagues in Congress and countless concerned stakeholders to block this tax."
The bill introduced by Thune is similar to one brought by John Mica to the House of Representatives that was passed on 24 October (see EDCM 25 October 2011).
European estimates
In 2012, airlines will receive 0.6797 free aviation emissions allowances for every 1,000 tonne-kilometre reported for 2010.
A tonne-kilometre is a measure of the distance travelled and the total weight of load and passengers of flight.
According to calculations by consulting firm Altimedes, British Airways will receive the most 2012 allowances, collecting around 4.82% of total free credits, amounting to 10.35m EUAs.
It will be followed by Ryanair (5.6m EUAs), Iberia (4.6m), Emirates (4.3m) and Easy Jet (3.7m) as the top five recipients of free allowances in 2012.
In 2013-2020, the allocation will fall to 0.64219 free aviation allowances per 1,000 tonne-kilometre reported for 2010.
From 30 April 2013, flights landing or departing from airports within the territories of the EU states, as well as Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland, will have to surrender EUAs matching their emissions in the previous year.
Each year, airlines will receive some free EUAs and will have to buy any extras they need on the carbon market.
Isra-Mart srl: Tourism bosses’ long-hop tax fears
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
A Queenstown tourism chief fears a green tax hike on long haul flights from the UK could set a harmful precedent.
The British Government has announced its Air Passenger Duty (APD) will increase next April.
The levy – which goes up from £85 to £92 ($170-$184) for flights to New Zealand – is banded on distance travelled.
Destination Queenstown boss Tony Everitt says: “It sets a precedent for other countries around the world.
“That’s the thing that needs to be watched out for.
“I wouldn’t expect this single action to have an immediate significant impact on Queenstown.
“Obviously it is not desirable. It is great the Minister [John Key] is on the case because the UK is an important market for Queenstown, in the top five.”
Prime Minister John Key, also Tourism Minister, is lobbying the British Government on what he regards as an unjustified tax.
Key says environmental concerns have already been addressed through the European Union’s extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme to aviation emissions.
Key says: “That puts a levy on airlines – meaning there is no justification for an additional duty on air passengers which discriminates on the basis of distance.
“The APD places a significant burden on New Zealand businesses, on families who travel, and on our tourism industry,” Mr Key says.
Last month, Key told Mountain Scene he was concerned about what he viewed as inappropriate taxes getting a hold in the UK and extending to other places.
The Tourism Industry Association, New Zealand, is lobbying on the charge, which for the first time will also cover business jets.
Everitt says: “It is something that needs to be addressed on a national and international level.
“We support the Minister and Association’s efforts to get some relief on this.
“The UK market is a tough one for us and other destinations at the moment due to the economic situation there. We do want to see that turn around.”
The APD will be set at £13 for short-haul flights, £65 for mid-distance and £81 for between 6400km and 9600km.
Isra-Mart news:
A Queenstown tourism chief fears a green tax hike on long haul flights from the UK could set a harmful precedent.
The British Government has announced its Air Passenger Duty (APD) will increase next April.
The levy – which goes up from £85 to £92 ($170-$184) for flights to New Zealand – is banded on distance travelled.
Destination Queenstown boss Tony Everitt says: “It sets a precedent for other countries around the world.
“That’s the thing that needs to be watched out for.
“I wouldn’t expect this single action to have an immediate significant impact on Queenstown.
“Obviously it is not desirable. It is great the Minister [John Key] is on the case because the UK is an important market for Queenstown, in the top five.”
Prime Minister John Key, also Tourism Minister, is lobbying the British Government on what he regards as an unjustified tax.
Key says environmental concerns have already been addressed through the European Union’s extension of the Emissions Trading Scheme to aviation emissions.
Key says: “That puts a levy on airlines – meaning there is no justification for an additional duty on air passengers which discriminates on the basis of distance.
“The APD places a significant burden on New Zealand businesses, on families who travel, and on our tourism industry,” Mr Key says.
Last month, Key told Mountain Scene he was concerned about what he viewed as inappropriate taxes getting a hold in the UK and extending to other places.
The Tourism Industry Association, New Zealand, is lobbying on the charge, which for the first time will also cover business jets.
Everitt says: “It is something that needs to be addressed on a national and international level.
“We support the Minister and Association’s efforts to get some relief on this.
“The UK market is a tough one for us and other destinations at the moment due to the economic situation there. We do want to see that turn around.”
The APD will be set at £13 for short-haul flights, £65 for mid-distance and £81 for between 6400km and 9600km.
Isra-Mart srl: IATA warns EU ETS could trigger trade war
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
Opposition from governments against the inclusion of aviation next year in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is growing and could result in a trade war, IATA warned.
IATA still is pushing for a global solution within ICAO through negotiations (ATW Daily News, Dec. 1), but the “level of opposition is mounting. More than 20 states have indicated their dissatisfaction with Europe’s unilateral action. The danger of a trade war is still possible with Russia, China and India … while a bill is making its way through Congress to prevent US carriers from taking part,” IATA director-aviation environment Paul Steele told reporters in Geneva via satellite from the Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa.
Steele also said the option of filing a complaint under Article 84 of the Chicago Convention is being increasingly discussed. Article 84 allows ICAO members to file a complaint against other members for violating “the cardinal principle of state sovereignty” outlined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention).
Last week, several airlines confirmed to ATW that using Article 84 to stop the EU ETS was raised at the ICAO council last month. Also, Assn. of European Airlines (AEA) secretary general Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus conceded to ATW that the risk of retaliation against EU carriers and an action through Article 84 were becoming a real concern.
According to sources, India is seriously considering using Article 84 against the EU and its 27 member states. There have been similar complaints in the past but all of them have been settled out of court. If no settlement is reached, the case will end up in the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in The Hague.
Steele said the EU was in a difficult position. “There is demand from governments worldwide to change the EU ETS but it is not easy to change an existing regulation and all change options— intra-EU scheme, departing flights only, delay of the introduction—are problematic,” he said, adding that the only “real way to solve this is for all governments to get back around the table at ICAO.”
EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard reiterated the EU was steadfast in its decision to include aviation in its ETS from next month. “There is no way the EU will change legislation,” she said in Durban. She also criticized the US House of Representatives for passing a bill prohibiting its airlines from participating in the ETS aviation scheme, calling the move “arrogant and ignorant.”
The House bill is merely symbolic at this stage, with action needed in the US Senate to move the issue forward. To that end, US Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) this week proposed similar legislation that he said would "enable the US Dept. of Transportation to take necessary action to ensure America's aviation operators are not penalized by any tax unilaterally imposed by the EU."
Isra-Mart news:
Opposition from governments against the inclusion of aviation next year in the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is growing and could result in a trade war, IATA warned.
IATA still is pushing for a global solution within ICAO through negotiations (ATW Daily News, Dec. 1), but the “level of opposition is mounting. More than 20 states have indicated their dissatisfaction with Europe’s unilateral action. The danger of a trade war is still possible with Russia, China and India … while a bill is making its way through Congress to prevent US carriers from taking part,” IATA director-aviation environment Paul Steele told reporters in Geneva via satellite from the Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa.
Steele also said the option of filing a complaint under Article 84 of the Chicago Convention is being increasingly discussed. Article 84 allows ICAO members to file a complaint against other members for violating “the cardinal principle of state sovereignty” outlined in the Convention on International Civil Aviation (the Chicago Convention).
Last week, several airlines confirmed to ATW that using Article 84 to stop the EU ETS was raised at the ICAO council last month. Also, Assn. of European Airlines (AEA) secretary general Ulrich Schulte-Strathaus conceded to ATW that the risk of retaliation against EU carriers and an action through Article 84 were becoming a real concern.
According to sources, India is seriously considering using Article 84 against the EU and its 27 member states. There have been similar complaints in the past but all of them have been settled out of court. If no settlement is reached, the case will end up in the International Court of Justice, the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, in The Hague.
Steele said the EU was in a difficult position. “There is demand from governments worldwide to change the EU ETS but it is not easy to change an existing regulation and all change options— intra-EU scheme, departing flights only, delay of the introduction—are problematic,” he said, adding that the only “real way to solve this is for all governments to get back around the table at ICAO.”
EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard reiterated the EU was steadfast in its decision to include aviation in its ETS from next month. “There is no way the EU will change legislation,” she said in Durban. She also criticized the US House of Representatives for passing a bill prohibiting its airlines from participating in the ETS aviation scheme, calling the move “arrogant and ignorant.”
The House bill is merely symbolic at this stage, with action needed in the US Senate to move the issue forward. To that end, US Senator John Thune (R-S.D.) this week proposed similar legislation that he said would "enable the US Dept. of Transportation to take necessary action to ensure America's aviation operators are not penalized by any tax unilaterally imposed by the EU."
Isra-Mart srl: California's low carbon vehicles plan moves up a gear
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart news:
California has unveiled proposals to slash transport emissions and put 1.4 million electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered cars on its roads by 2025.
The Advanced Clean Car package of regulations put forward by the state's Air Resources Board (ARP) should result in a 75 per cent reduction in smog-forming emissions by 2025 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 52 million tonnes, the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off the streets.
The proposed rules are in line with California's ambition to reduce its emissions 80 per cent by the middle of the century and come soon after US President Barack Obama published early plans to double car fuel efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
As well as improving the efficiency of petrol and diesel cars, the regulations would aim to ensure low-carbon vehicles make up one in seven new cars sold in California in 2025 and should also supply the infrastructure to support them.
While the ARB noted implementing the technologies needed to achieve the new smog and greenhouse gas standards would increase a new vehicle's price in 2025 by about $1,900, it said this would be more than offset by $6,000 in fuel cost savings over the life of the car.
It expects the monthly cost of running a new car to fall by $12, even when considering the higher cost of the loan or lease, and predicts overall operating cost savings will reach $5bn in 2025, rising to $10bn in 2030 when more advanced cars are on the road.
Together, the entire package should result in a cumulative reduction of more than 870 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases through to 2050, as well as creating an additional 21,000 jobs in 2025, rising to 37,000 in 2030.
"These rules will make California the advanced car capital of the world, driving the innovation, patents and technology that will generate thousands of jobs here, and set the stage for us to compete in the global clean car marketplace," said ARB executive officer James Goldstene.
However, the measures were criticised by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which argued that the goals for zero-emissions vehicles should be stronger.
"California needs to ensure we get on the right trajectory to meet the state's public health and climate goals by mid-century," said Don Anair, senior engineer with the UCS Clean Vehicles programme.
"With more than 30 models of electric cars expected from automakers in the next few years, California should feel confident enough to eliminate special credits that could undermine the proposal and set a 30 per cent more aggressive sales target."
Isra-Mart news:
California has unveiled proposals to slash transport emissions and put 1.4 million electric, plug-in hybrid and hydrogen-powered cars on its roads by 2025.
The Advanced Clean Car package of regulations put forward by the state's Air Resources Board (ARP) should result in a 75 per cent reduction in smog-forming emissions by 2025 and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 52 million tonnes, the equivalent of taking 10 million cars off the streets.
The proposed rules are in line with California's ambition to reduce its emissions 80 per cent by the middle of the century and come soon after US President Barack Obama published early plans to double car fuel efficiency to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025.
As well as improving the efficiency of petrol and diesel cars, the regulations would aim to ensure low-carbon vehicles make up one in seven new cars sold in California in 2025 and should also supply the infrastructure to support them.
While the ARB noted implementing the technologies needed to achieve the new smog and greenhouse gas standards would increase a new vehicle's price in 2025 by about $1,900, it said this would be more than offset by $6,000 in fuel cost savings over the life of the car.
It expects the monthly cost of running a new car to fall by $12, even when considering the higher cost of the loan or lease, and predicts overall operating cost savings will reach $5bn in 2025, rising to $10bn in 2030 when more advanced cars are on the road.
Together, the entire package should result in a cumulative reduction of more than 870 million metric tonnes of greenhouse gases through to 2050, as well as creating an additional 21,000 jobs in 2025, rising to 37,000 in 2030.
"These rules will make California the advanced car capital of the world, driving the innovation, patents and technology that will generate thousands of jobs here, and set the stage for us to compete in the global clean car marketplace," said ARB executive officer James Goldstene.
However, the measures were criticised by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which argued that the goals for zero-emissions vehicles should be stronger.
"California needs to ensure we get on the right trajectory to meet the state's public health and climate goals by mid-century," said Don Anair, senior engineer with the UCS Clean Vehicles programme.
"With more than 30 models of electric cars expected from automakers in the next few years, California should feel confident enough to eliminate special credits that could undermine the proposal and set a 30 per cent more aggressive sales target."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
