A set of laws on the reduction of automobile carbon dioxide emissions piloted by Labour MEP Miriam Dalli was approved by the European Parliament’s environment committee (ENVI) on Monday, with 38 members voting in favour, 23 against and seven abstaining.

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Dalli said that the legislation was a ‘pragmatic result’ that strikes a ‘very delicate balance’ between all stakeholders.  She said that the set of legislations affect not just the environment or climate change, but also citizen’s health, workers and the car industry itself, which is why striking the balance was so important.

Dalli explained that the policy was written in such a manner to propose positive change and innovation.  The aim is not to promote one technology over another, Dalli said, but to make sure that transport contributes its fair share to reducing emissions. 

Furthermore she said that with this legislation, investment and jobs can be attracted to the European economy.  The aim is to create jobs in the EU for EU citizens.

The headline point of the legislation is a programme of Co2 reductions, wherein Co2 emissions for both cars and vans must be reduced by 20% by 2025, and 45% by 2030 across the EU. 

However, there are other points that form part of the legislation such as crediting for car manufactures under a bonus-malus system; a life-cycle analysis that takes into account well-to-wheel analysis; compromises on job transition periods; emphasis on battery production, supply and recycling infrastructure; and the closing of loopholes that car manufacturers can use to ‘cheat’ carbon emission tests as was the case in the recent Dieselgate scandal.

A car labelling system will also be employed so to give up to date information to consumers to make sure that they know what they are buying in terms of running costs and fuel consumption.

Dalli said on Monday evening following the approval of the legislation by the committee that  she had faced ‘great’ opposition from conservative groups and also intensive lobbying by the automobile industry against the legislation.

The legislation is scheduled to pass through a plenary session of the European Parliament in the first week of October.  If it is approved, it will give Dalli the mandate to open discussions with the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.