INFORM Transport
REPORT OPINION
Most CO
2
emissions from
high-speed rail are a result of
Car makers criticise carbon limits
deforestation related to the
construction of new railway The European association that
lines. That is the conclusion includes 15 of Europe’s leading
from a report by a French rail car makers (ACEA) has issued a
track company, RFF, due to be new report on the state of the
published this month, which European industry, which is
develops a life cycle assess- critical of the introduction of
ment for the carbon footprint limits on carbon dioxide in the
of high-speed rail. The compa- “present economic climate”.
ny has monitored rail’s carbon ACEA argues that the 2015
footprint for 15 years. CO
2
limits for cars, which have
recently been agreed by the
STUDY
European Union, and proposed
A study drawing on the work limits for vans and commercial
of 75 scientists from across the vehicles “threaten much needed
world has called for a rethink investment in clean vehicle
on using biofuels for trans- technologies”. Fines imposed by the 2015 CO
2
limits for cars ‘remain a concern’ for car makers
port. It says mandates and tar- While ACEA’s annual report
gets for liquid biofuels claims the sector is “fully com- due to the economic recession “Policy makers have a responsi-
“should be reconsidered”, mitted” to meeting the now legal- were made earlier this year but bility to protect the interests of
pointing out that relying on ly enforced target, the organisa- rejected by EU industry minis- citizens and safeguard the natural
biofuels has the potential for tion says that “disproportionate” ters. However, the commission environment. But they are
increasing the gap between fines for manufacturers that miss has since hinted that it is delaying also responsible or creating an
rich and poor, and says gov- their individual emission targets some environmental proposals on environment in which businesses
ernments should limit demand “remain a concern”. vans and EU car labelling because thrive. The interdependent nature
for traditional fuels. Calls for a slowdown in the of the economic pressures. of both objectives is today
rate of environmental legislation The ACEA report says: perhaps more evident than ever.”
PERFORMANCE
Manchester Airport gets
Smart in carbon-cutting drive
Manchester Airport has added a electricity to power vehicles
low-emission Smart Car to its – something the Manchester
fleet as part of its drive to be Airports Group is committed
carbon neutral by 2015 for its to. At the moment, the group
ground operations. sources 30% of its electricity
The vehicle has been allocated from renewable sources with
to the city of Manchester as part ambitions to source 100%
of a Department for Business, by 2010.
Enterprise and Regulatory The airports group, which also
Reform-funded partnership in own airports in East Midlands,
conjunction with the Centre of Humberside and Bournemouth, For good business, and a better world
Excellence for Low Carbon and has leased three of the vehicles
Fuel Cell Technologies and for use at each site. The European Ecolabel is Europe’s official green label.
Daimler Fleet management. “It might look like small steps Managed by Defra in the UK, its flower logo is only
The government gave a £100M at first but the range and scope of awarded to quality products which meet tough
boost to the sector at the end of environmental projects we are environmental standards. Find out how using
October to kick-start a revolu- unveiling across our airports will ecolabelled products, or applying for the label, could help
tion in low-emission and electric mean we are able to make signifi- your business to prove that it really is clean and green:
vehicles, with charging points cant savings on carbon dioxide,”
expected to be provided on the said Penny Coates, managing
streets of the UK. director of East Midlands.
One hundred vehicles have “What the Smart Cars provide
been made available for corpo- us with is a very visible example
rate entities in the trial, as the to our passengers and staff of
vehicles are not yet readily avail- how our operation needs to take
able on the market. To qualify to advantage of innovation and new
be able to use the vehicles, com- thinking to deal with the carbon
panies must be purchasing green issue at our airports.”
Sustainable Business ❘ June 2009 11
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